By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
For the first time in more than a year, Kentucky lost a game in the regular season and more than likely its top ranking.
The Wildcats, who ran the table with a school-record 31 consecutive victories during the regular season last year, dropped an 87-77 setback to unranked UCLA Thursday night at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. It was Kentucky’s first setback of the regular season since an 84-65 loss to Florida on March 8, 2014.
“Their coach (Steve Alford) out-coached our coach, their guards out-hustled our guards to balls and they executed better than us,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “We got kicked and every once in a while this stuff happens.”
The Wildcats (7-1) led just once, shot just 38 percent from the field and made just eight of 25 shots from long range. Kentucky’s defense wasn’t much better as the Bruins connected on 53 percent of their shots from the field and made five of 11 field goals from behind the arc.
It was a far better showing than last year for UCLA, which lost to Kentucky 83-44 at the United Center in Chicago. Calipari wasn’t surprised by the Bruins’ quick turnaround.
“(UCLA) played well today,” Calipari said. “They did what they had to and they were focused. Every game we play, it’s the best they play, whoever the team is.”
BOXSCORE: UCLA 87, Kentucky 77
Point guard Tyler Ulis returned to the lineup after missing Kentucky’s 75-63 win over Illinois State earlier this week because of an elbow injury. Ulis scored nine points and had nine assists, but struggled from the field and made just two of 12 shots from the field.
“He did OK,” Calipari said. “His arm is still hurting him. He wanted to tough it out, but it’s probably a game that he shouldn’t have played. Without him, it would have been 87-47.”
Although Ulis struggled, freshman guards Isaiah Briscoe and Jamal Murray picked up the pace and combined for 37 points. Briscoe finished with career-high 20 points, while Murray sank five 3-pointers and finished with 17.
“Isaiah got to the goal and did some really good stuff,” Calipari said.
Derek Willis came off the bench and added 11 for Kentucky, which placed just three players in double figures, compared to five by the Bruins.
The Wildcats struggled to get much scoring from their post players. Junior Marcus Lee left because of a head injury at the 15:39 mark of the first half and didn’t return. Kentucky’s post players — Lee, Skal Labissiere, Isaac Humphries and Alex Poythress — combined for just 16 points and 14 rebounds. Poythress fouled out in the second half and scored just four points.
“It’s disappointing they beat us to loose balls and they were more physical inside than us,” Calipari said. “With Marcus getting hurt, I was playing guys I hadn’t played that much, but that’s no excuse. Their bigs outplayed us.”
It was a tough night all the way around for the Wildcats.
Game tracker: Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky, 7 p.m., Wednesday. TV/Radio: ESPN2. 98.1 FM WBUL.
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports writer who covers University of Kentucky athletics for KyForward.com