Meechie Johnson hit six 3-pointers and scored a career-high 26 points to lead South Carolina over Kentucky 71-68, winning at Rupp Arena for the
first time in 14 years and giving coach Lamont Paris his first SEC victory. The win was just the third for the Gamecocks in 31 games at Kentucky and the first at Rupp Arena since January 2009. Kentucky had
its SEC-leading 28-game home win streak snapped and is off to its worst start in SEC play since 1986-87. Gregory “GG” Jackson II added 16 points for the Gamecocks. Oscar Tshiebwe scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, his ninth double this season for Kentucky.
A spectator was escorted from Rupp Arena during the first half of the game after holding up a sign that said “Please go to Texas,” referring to speculation about Wildcats coach John Calipari as a candidate to coach the Longhorns. The unidentified man in the lower bowl held up the sign for several minutes before arena security arrived following complaints from other fans.
Kentucky basketball spokesperson Deb Moore said afterward the man was given the choice of putting the sign away but refused, and chose to leave. Texas
has reportedly contacted Calipari about its coaching vacancy.
The Wildcats travel to Knoxville on Saturday to take on the Tennessee Volunteers.