Freshman scores 27 as UK rips Irish

Dec. 8, 2010

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Terrence Jones scored 27 points and No. 17 Kentucky avoided its first losing streak under coach John Calipari with a 72-58 victory over No. 23 Notre Dame on Wednesday night in the SEC/Big East Invitational.

Jones had been chastised by Calipari for taking a pregame nap before a loss to North Carolina on Saturday, a game in which Jones scored just nine points on 3-of-17 shooting.

The freshman forward had no such problems against the Irish. He made 9 of 18 shots – including a huge 3-pointer with just over 2 minutes left – grabbed 17 rebounds and added some late free throws for Kentucky (6-2).

Ben Hansbrough led the Fighting Irish (8-1) with 21 points but scored just two in the second half as Kentucky’s defense clamped down. Notre Dame went without a field goal for over 12 minutes spanning the first and second halves, allowing Kentucky to turn an 11-point deficit into a seven-point lead it would never give up.