COLLEGE STATION, Texas — De’Aaron Fox scored 19 points and No. 9 Kentucky overcame an early 15-point deficit to defeat Texas A&M 71-63 on Saturday and claim the Southeastern Conference regular-season title outright.
Kentucky won its fifth regular-season SEC championship in eight seasons under coach John Calipari.
The Aggies (16-14, 8-10) leaped to a 19-4 lead 8 minutes into the game, as the Wildcats (26-5, 16-2) missed nine of their first 10 shots. A&M’s big lead early only seemed to ignite the Wildcats, as Kentucky closed the first half with a 28-9 run.
Admon Gilder led the Aggies with 22 points and Robert Williams added 20.
The Aggies closed the gap to 55-51 with 6:10 remaining when Kentucky’s Isaiah Briscoe and Derek Willis responded with consecutive baskets, the latter a 3-pointer that bounced off the front of the rim before falling through with 4:13 remaining.
The swifter Wildcats held a 14-4 advantage on the fast break.
Texas A&M head coach Billy Kennedy & C Tyler Davis
Kentucky head coach John Calipari
Wildcat G De’Aron Fox & F Derek Willis
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics