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Cats Bounce BackShaking off a disappointing performance in Georgia, the Kentucky Wildcats did something very uncharacteristic for this year's team: They won easily, beating Arkansas 73-56. The Cats were led by Erik Daniels, whose individual play has been substandard lately. Daniels scored 21 points on an impressive 10 of 13 from the field, after scoring only 6 and 4 in the previous two games. Perhaps as impressive as Daniels' shooting was the passing of point guard Cliff Hawkins, who dished out 11 assists to go along with 5 points and 5 rebounds. Kelenna Azubuike, the lone bright spot in the Georgia game, provided the steady play he had given early in the season, scoring 12 points on 4 of 7 shooting. The Cats welcomed back Gerald Fitch, who came off the bench for 22 minutes and 8 points after missing the previous three games with an injured finger.
Another thing that pleased Coach Tubby Smith was the play of the reserves, as Kentucky got 23 points off the bench: 8 by Fitch, 3 from Josh Carrier, 5 from
Bobby Perry, 6 from Sheray Thomas, and 1 from Shagari Alleyne, albeit on a banked free-throw. Overall, the Cats shot 57% from the field and made 6 of 14 three-pointers (43%), while holding Arkansas to 37% shooting and 19% from beyond the arc. Kentucky's high shooting percentage was the direct result of their unselfish offensive play, as 21 of their 27 field goals were assisted.
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