Kentucky grinds out win against Davidson

Davidson, the trendy pick to upset Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament first round Thursday, believed it could excite college basketball fans with more than the Davidand-Goliath storyline.

“We’re a team that’s entertaining, (that’s) fun to watch,” guard Rusty Reigel said of Davidson’s three-point shooting style. “Cheer us on and we’ll show you a good time.”

Hamidou Diallo had a telling response.

The NCAA Tournament’s survive-and-advance ethos, he said, meant “no more fun and giggles.”

As if on cue, a taut struggle ensued. This was no place for the fun as Kentucky’s streak of games making three-point shots ended at 1,047. Kentucky missed all six of its three-point attempts, which ushered in UNLV as the owner of the longest active streak: 1,040 games.

But Kentucky won, 78-73, to advance to a second-round game against the winner of Arizona-Buffalo. It wasn’t easy, or at last as easy as it looked for a half.

In the first half, the Cats showed they were up to the challenge of dealing with Davidson’s patient attack that relied on discipline, perseverance and execution.

But a 34-24 halftime lead disappeared in a second half that called for Kentucky to display grace under pressure. Kentucky passed that test, too.

With the score tied at 54 heading into the final seven-plus minutes, Kentucky either got points or free throws in10 of the next 12 trips downcourt.

Kentucky’s main men, Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kevin Knox, led the way. They accounted for all but two of the fruitful possessions.

Knox finished with a gamehigh 25 points. Gilgeous-Alexander added 19.