LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Ryan Harrow's 19 points led five Kentucky players in double figures and the Wildcats dominated outmanned Mississippi State for an 85-55 victory Wednesday night, the Wildcats' third in a row.
Alex Poythress added 16 points, Willie Cauley-Stein 12 and Julius Mays and Archie Goodwin 11 each as Kentucky (20-8, 11-4 Southeastern Conference) pulled within a game of first-place Florida with two games remaining. The Wildcats also improved to 3-1 since freshman center Nerlens Noel's season-ending knee injury on Feb. 12.
Kentucky had to be careful not to overlook a Mississippi State team that entered with a 12-game losing streak and just eight healthy players. The Wildcats easily avoided that trap, leading from the outset and steadily pulling away for its most lopsided SEC win this season.
They shot 34 of 62 from the field (55 percent) and outrebounded Mississippi State 42-29.
Fred Thomas' 13 points led the Bulldogs (7-20, 2-13).
