Rapid Reaction: Kentucky blows out Abilene Christian, advances to 2nd round
Kentucky dominated Abilene Christian Thursday evening 79-44, but that perhaps wasn’t the biggest aspect of the game.
P.J. Washington showed up to the arena in a cast, and it certainly appears that he won’t play in the next round either.
Matt Stone, a photographer for the Courier-Journal, captured this photo of Washington rolling into VyStar Memorial Arena. The Wildcats had already ruled Washington out for the game with a sprained foot.
#Kentucky's PJ Washington Jr., who won't play tonight, rolls into the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena before the team's game against Abilene Christian. @JonHale_CJ https://t.co/EW09tGqo46 pic.twitter.com/9qHb36oqxX
— Matt Stone (@mattstonephotog) March 21, 2019
Even without Washington, Abilene Christian was no match for the more talented Wildcats. Keldon Johnson, Reid Travis and Tyler Herro took over. Johnson scored a game-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting, while Travis added 18 points and nine rebounds. Herro also added 14 points.
Kentucky held Abilene Christian to just 13 first-half points, which was the fewest points the Cats have ever allowed in the first half of an NCAA Tournament game.
Kentucky advances to play the winner of Wofford-Seton Hall Saturday.