LEXINGTON, Ky. – Mizzou Men's Basketball (8-5, 0-1 SEC) was defeated by No. 17 Kentucky, 71-59, at Rupp Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Tiger defense held Kentucky to single digits through the first 10 minutes of play, and its lowest first-half scoring output of the year.

Mizzou was led by Dru Smith, who posted 11 points and four steals on the day.

A Dru Smith steal and a Kobe Brown triple set the tempo early for Mizzou, and the Tigers jumped out to a 17-9 lead, but a 12-0 run by Kentucky (10-3, 1-0) midway through the first half surged the Wildcats in front. Mizzou's defense again forced a steal that led to a Mark Smith trey in the final minute to cut the halftime deficit to five, 31-26.

Kentucky shot 13 more free throws than Mizzou and converted 27-of-30 attempts at the foul line, which proved to be the difference down the stretch. Torrence Watson hit a three to pull Mizzou within four with fewer than 16 minutes remaining, but the Wildcats responded with an 11-2 run, making tough 3-pointers and cashing in at the charity stripe to build a double-digit advantage. Mizzou would pull back within 10 after a Reed Nikko dunk at the 6:03 mark, but couldn't erase the deficit as the Wildcats staved off any comeback attempt in the final five minutes.

TURNING POINT

With 10 minutes remaining in the game, Kentucky sophomore guard Immanuel Quickley hit his fourth triple of the game, followed by a Nate Sestina lay-in that pushed Kentucky's lead out to double-digits. The Wildcats would extend their lead out to 16 in the second half and never relinquished its double-digit advantage. 

TOP TIGERS

• Dru Smith had a team-high 11 points Saturday afternoon. Smith also collected four steals, two assists and three rebounds.
• Freshman forward Kobe Brown posted nine points against Kentucky, including three rebounds, an assist and a steal.
• Junior center Jeremiah Tilmon came off the bench for the Tigers to record seven points, three rebounds and a block.

NOTES

• Mizzou held Kentucky to 31 points in the first half, tied for its lowest scoring output in the first half this season (Utah, Dec. 19).
• Dru Smith became the first Mizzou player to have 10+ points and 4+ steals in three different games in a single season since Jordan Clarkson in 2014.
• Dru Smith has reached double figures in three-straight games – his longest streak of the season, and his longest since the final three games of his sophomore campaign at Evansville (Feb. 10, 2018 – March 1, 2018).
• The Tigers have registered at least eight steals in four of their last five games.
• Mizzou held Kentucky to only 20 made field goals, the fewest makes for the Wildcats in a game since making 19 in the season opener against Michigan State (Nov. 6).
• Kentucky shot only 25-percent from beyond the arc (4-of-16). Mizzou has now held its last five opponents to under 30-percent from beyond the arc.

UP NEXT

Mizzou Men's Basketball returns home to face the Tennessee Volunteers on Tuesday night at Mizzou Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.

For all the latest on Mizzou's Men's Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MizzouHoops.