LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Behind a career-best 30-point performance by senior guard Travis Holmes, VMI scored its first win over an SEC program in 32 years, stunning Kentucky, 111-103 in front of 22,579 fans at Rupp Arena on Friday evening.
The Keydets (1-0) matched a facility record with 14 three-pointers, including five by sophomore gunner Austin Kenon.
Kentucky (0-1) got a valiant effort from junior Jodie Meeks, who poured in a career-best 39 points in leading a massive second-half comeback. After holding a 57-47 advantage at halftime, VMI extended the lead to 23 points on a three-pointer by freshman Keith Gabriel with 14:10 remaining. After the teams traded buckets to make it 85-62, Meeks led a 35-10 run over the next ten minutes, giving Kentucky their first lead of the game at 97-95 with 4:52 remaining.
It would be the Wildcats' only lead of the night.
Following Ramon Harris' layup to give Kentucky the lead, the Keydets answered quickly with a jumper by senior Willie Bell, knotting the score at 97. Kenon then knocked in his fifth three-pointer of the night, a dagger from the right corner, to give VMI the lead for good.
The win is VMI's first against an SEC program since defeating Tennessee 81-75 in the NCAA East Regionals on March 13, 1976. It is also the Keydets' first victory in the series against Kentucky since 1922, when the Keydets scored a 37-32 decision.
It was a picture-perfect start for VMI, forcing seven turnovers in the first four minutes, running out to a 17-5 advantage at the first media timeout. The Keydets hit seven of their first eight three-pointers in the opening ten minutes and gained their largest lead in the first half on a pair of free throws by Willie Bell at the 10:21 mark, doubling up the Wildcats 42-21.
Kentucky cut into the lead with a 21-9 run, as an expectant Rupp Arena crowd tried to will their Wildcats back into a 51-42 game with 3:18 remaining in the opening half. But the Keydets answered with five-straight points by freshman Keith Gabriel, who poured in 20 points on the night.
Holding a ten-point advantage at halftime, the Keydets had already forced 16 Wildcat turnovers, leading to 23 VMI points. Travis Holmes had a game-high 20 points at the intermission, followed closely by Meeks' 19 markers.
Fans that were looking for a Wildcat rally to open the second half instead saw the Keydets go on a 26-13 run to open up an 83-60 advantage on a Gabriel three-pointer.
Kentucky then began to rally, as Perry Stevenson poured in six straight points to jump-start the comeback. Meeks then poured in 12 points in just over three minutes to cut the advantage to 90-84, before Harris hit back-to-back field goals to give the Wildcats their short-lived lead.
Down the stretch, VMI continued their solid free-throw shooting, ending the evening with a 77% clip from the line. The Keydets shot 45% from beyond the arc, including 53% in the first half, and 49% from the floor for the game.
The Keydets had six players in double figures for the night, with Travis Holmes and Gabriel leading the way. Senior Willie Bell had 12 points and eight rebounds in the win, while senior Chavis Holmes contributed 16 points, two rebounds and six assists.
Kentucky got 20 points and 14 rebounds from Perry Stevenson behind Meeks' standout performance, while Harris (16 pts.) and Darius Miller (12 pts.) rounded out the double-figure scoring.
The Keydets return to action on Sunday afternoon, traveling to Charlottesville to take on Virginia at 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Net Mid-Atlantic.
HEAD COACH DUGGAR BAUCOM-
“It's pretty special. I love those guys. I told people today that is my favorite team that I've had since I've been here because they are so together, and they fight through adversity. We had four rough days of practice this week for various reasons, so it's pretty amazing how resilient these kids are. We said just go out and believe in who we are and do what we're supposed to do. They made a torrid run and Willie (Bell) went down, then we came up with some big plays. Travis Holmes hit a huge shot. Michael Sparks leaked out and got one, and we shot some free throws down the stretch.”
“Our freshman-we are just so pleased with them. It was so special for Michael (Sparks-Lexington, Ky. native) coming back home, and Austin Kenon hit some huge shots and Keith Gabriel, he's special and Ron Burks was just solid. I told our guys that this will be a moment they will always remember.”
“It's nice to beat to beat Kentucky. It's the most storied program probably in college basketball, and to do it here in Rupp and the way we did it- to make them come back, and we hung in there. It's big, but it's just the first of 28 games. We have Virginia coming up on Sunday. But I think this team is special and I thought so in our first scrimmage. This will certainly help their confidence.”
Keydet Quick Hits
? The win was VMI's first in a season-opener away from Cameron Hall since defeating Roanoke 64-50 at the UVA Tipoff on Nov. 25, 1977.
? The victory was the first season-opening win for Duggar Baucom in his four seasons at VMI.
? The last time Kentucky scored 100-plus points in a game was when they notched 101 against Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 23, 2003.
? This was the most points Kentucky has given up since Dec. 27, 1989, when it lost 121-110 at North Carolina .
? The 111 points were the most given up in Rupp Arena since a 116-113 overtime loss to Louisiana-Lafayette on Dec. 23, 1989.
? The last time Kentucky gave up 100-plus points was on Feb. 10, 1993, when Arkansas tallied 101 in Fayetteville . The last time Kentucky scored 100-plus points and lost was a 104-103 overtime loss to Duke on March 28, 1992.
? The 14 made three-pointers by VMI were the most UK had allowed since 14 against Penn State on Nov. 25, 2000.
? Kentucky 's 25 turnovers were the most since committing 26 mishaps against Georgia on Feb. 15, 2006. VMI scored 38 points off UK turnovers.
