Talking points

Nerlens Noel scored six quick points and Kentucky was up 9-0. A&M countered with a 9-0 run, although Elston Turner could not get going. It was ugly offensively before UK went on 17-8 run, with a couple of Julius Mays three-pointers and highlighted by a one-handed Noel follow jam. The Aggies edged within 47-46 but UK seemed safe with a 60-52 lead at 3:47. Careless UK play allowed A&M to close out 10-2, sending it to overtime when Turner hit a shot with :01.4 left. UK jumped out 69-63 in OT but still could not count this one a win until a Turner three-pointer with a second to go barely missed.

Telling numbers

■ Texas A&M never led.

■ UK struggled at the foul line, but made eight of 10 in overtime.

■ Turner was almost a UK-killer again, but it took him almost 43 minutes to make a three-pointer.

■ Noel had a double-double 23 minutes into the game.

■ The Aggies scored 21 in the first half. It took less than nine minutes to equal that in the second half.

■ A&M started the game making one of 14 shots.

■ 6:22: How long it took the Aggies to score.

■ 7:49: How long it took the Aggies to make a field goal.

■ UK had a pair of 9-0 runs in the first half.

■ Turner was 2-for-10 shooting and 0-for-5 on three-pointers in the first half.

■ The Aggies missed all nine three-point tries in the first half.

Thumbs up

■ Mays had his best game as a Cat.

■ A week ago, analysts said two road games this past week could be the most pivotal part of the season. UK won both.

Thumbs down

■ This UK team still has far too many lapses to be a good tournament team.