Kentucky Basketball: Monk's 47 Points Lead Cats Over North Carolina
Kentucky Basketball: Malik Monk pours in school record 47 points to lead Cats over seventh ranked North Carolina in CBS Sports Classic.
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Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) dribbles against the defense of North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24) during a game at T-Mobile Arena. Kentucky won the game 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Leading up to this pivotal early season matchup versus North Carolina, Kentucky coach John Calipari talked about the importance of keeping North Carolina off the offensive boards. He talked about the need to get out in transition. He talked about learning to fight and and be tough against a talented, experienced roster. All true statements, on what had to occur for the Cats to win.
Then Malik Monk just went off and stole the show.
Down two points, clock ticking, the freshman simply rose up and knocked down yet another clutch shot. Monk poured in 47 points on 18-28 shooting, including 8-12 from 3-point range, to lead all scorers, setting a UK freshman scoring record on his way to lifting the Cats past North Carolina.
Monk was simply sensational all night, out-dueling North Carolina’s Justin Jackson, who scored a team-high 34 points on 10-17 shooting. In a game that saw six lead changes and six ties, North Carolina tied the game for the first time in the second half, 95-95, late, before taking the lead 98-95 moments later. Then Monk answered with his seventh 3-pointer of the night, tying the game 98-98 with just 1:21 remaining. Again, Carolina answered, going up by two with just 47 seconds remaining to play. Then Monk answered with his final 3 of the night, yet another contested 3-point jumper that was true, giving Kentucky a 101-100 lead with 22 seconds to go. De’Aaron Fox would go on to make two free throws to seal the deal.
Fox was big as well for the Cats, scoring 24 points and dishing out 10 assists. Bam Adebayo scored 13 points, to go with seven boards, while Isaiah Briscoe also grabbed seven rebounds, to go with 10 points.
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The Cats next take on archival Louisville in the Yum! Center, Wednesday at 7 PM EST. ESPN will broadcast the game.
