LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Portland, Ore. native Kyle Wiltjer had his first career double-double, finishing with 23 points and 12 rebounds in Kentucky's 88-50 win Saturday over Lipscomb.
Kentucky's Kyle Wiltjer shoots a three-point shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Lipscomb. (AP Photo/James Crisp)
Wiltjer came off the bench for the first time this season -- point guard Ryan Harrow took his spot in the starting five -- but logged 24 minutes and was the key to Kentucky's offense Saturday. He finished 8 of 12 from the field and 7 of 9 from 3-point range.
Harrow played aggressively on offense for the second straight game after returning timidly from missing four games with flu-like symptoms and an undisclosed family issue. He led the Wildcats with 13 field-goal attempts, making six and finishing with 12 points.
Lipscomb (4-5) kept its deficit within single digits much of the first half until the Wildcats scored six straight points to close the half with a 43-29 lead.
Kentucky (7-3) broke the game open in the second half by outscoring the Bisons 22-3 over a five-minute stretch.
Nerlens Noel finished with seven points, nine rebounds, seven blocks and four steals for the Wildcats. He fouled out with 5:21 to play. The freshman has had seven blocks in two consecutive games.
Martin Smith scored 18 points for Lipscomb, and Stephen Hurt finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for his first career double-double.
Deonte Alexander of the Bisons was disqualified in the second half after picking up his second technical foul. Both technicals were assessed after brief verbal exchanges with Noel, one in each half. Noel also received a technical foul in the second-half exchange
