No. 11 UCLA snaps No. 1 Kentucky's 42-game home winning streak
On the heels of another strong shooting performance, No. 11 UCLA snapped No. 1 Kentucky's 42-game home winning streak Saturday, handing the Wildcats a 97-92 loss at Rupp Arena.
UCLA's 97 points marked the most scored against Kentucky since John Calipari inherited the program in 2009. The Bruins came into the contest averaging exactly 97 points per outing, the third-highest number in the country.
UCLA used a balanced scoring attack to get the job done, with all five starters finishing the game in double digits. Senior guard Isaac Hamilton led the way with 19 points. As a team, UCLA converted 10 of its 23 shots from 3-point range, good for an excellent 43.5 percent clip from the land beyond.
UCLA scores an official 1.17 points per possession. Loss sends John Calipari’s record at Rupp crashing all the way down to 124-5.
— John Gasaway (@JohnGasaway) December 3, 2016
It's the second straight year in which UCLA has upset Big Blue. The Bruins did the deed on this very day - Dec. 3 - last year. The Wildcats came in with the No. 1 ranking both times.
The win improved UCLA to 9-0 to start the season, and guarantees Steve Alford's club a surge up the next AP Poll. Meanwhile, Kentucky fell to 7-1, and is likely to lose the top ranking Monday.
UCLA now has 12 wins against the AP No. 1 Team, 2nd-most in the AP Poll era (since 1949) pic.twitter.com/f4MmPtfr1j
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 3, 2016
Calipari's crew was led in scoring by freshman Malik Monk, who notched 24 points, while fellow freshman De'Aaron Fox poured in 20 in the losing effort.
Kentucky fell behind by double digits early in the second half, but crept back into the game thanks to a late run. A couple of Bryce Alford free throws in the final seconds iced the game for the victors.