‘EJ played his butt off.’ Montgomery delivers breakout performance for UK.
If one play epitomized EJ Montgomery’s breakout performance Tuesday night, it came midway through the second half.
He wheeled into the lane intent on expanding Kentucky’s nine-point lead on Mississippi State.
“The normal running hook shot,” he said. “Then he fouled me a little bit.”
A Mississippi State defender grabbed Montgomery’s arm. But the sophomore forward would not be deterred.
“I just continued to go strong with it,” he said. “And it went in.”
Strength and determination got Montgomery a three-point play. Those qualities also got Kentucky redemption in the form of an 80-72 victory over the Bulldogs.
A lingering question after the loss at Auburn on Saturday was who could Kentucky count on when mainstays Nick Richards and Ashton Hagans did not play well.
On his radio show Monday night, UK Coach John Calipari joked about this scenario. “You punt,” he said.
More seriously, Calipari pointed to Montgomery as someone who could rescue Kentucky.
“I’m anxious for him to break through,” Calipari said.
Montgomery’s 12 points marked only his second double-digit scoring game since Dec. 8. His eight rebounds were the most he’d grabbed since getting 10 against Utah on Dec. 18.
Montgomery led the defensive effort against Mississippi State’s main man, Reggie Perry.
Perry, who came into the game leading the Southeastern Conference in scoring (21.3 points per game) and rebounding (10.9), made only four of 16 shots. He finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.
“EJ played his butt off,” teammate Nate Sestina said. “He was making shots. He was getting to to the post. Kind of got back to what he’s about, and that’s catch-turn-face.
“And his mid-post game is elite. I don’t know that he got away from it as much as it was how we were running our offense.
“But he’s back to it now.”
Richards, who scored 25 of his career-high 27 points in the second half, said the Big Blue Nation should expect more of the same.
“I expect (UK Coach John Calipari) to run more plays for him, now,” said Richards, whose 11 rebounds enabled him to post his 10th double-double of the season. “He seems a lot (more) confident getting the ball in the mid-post.”
After Mississippi State closed a 14-point Kentucky lead to 60-54 — because all UK opponents do so? — Richards hit a shot to ease growing concern inside Rupp Arena.
As if passing a baton, Montgomery gave way to Richards down the stretch.
Kentucky improved to 17-5 overall and 7-2 in the SEC. Mississippi State fell to 14-8 overall and 5-4 in the SEC.
Montgomery made it clear from the beginning that he would be active. He took UK’s first two shots, and four of the first eight. He missed the first three, but his layup in transition put UK ahead 7-0. The Cats never trailed in the first half.
The early shooting had been planned in practices since the loss at Auburn, he said.
“EJ was ridiculous,” Calipari said. “That’s my vision of him. That’s what I think he is.”
Not for the first time, Calipari cited improved conditioning as the reason for a UK player’s improved performance.
“Cal thinks it’s being in shape,” Montgomery said with a wide smile.
When it was suggested that he did not see it that way, Montgomery said, “Nobody really likes to run a lot.”
But, he conceded being in better shape has helped.
“Just being free and not tired,” he said, “so I can go out there and do my thing.”
Animated performances from Montgomery and Sestina helped UK take a 31-23 halftime lead.
Montgomery was UK’s leading scorer in the first half. His seven points included a purposeful baseline drive and basket over Mississippi State “big” Abdul Ado that gave Kentucky its largest first-half lead: 31-21 with 1:41 left.
Montgomery’s seven points in the first half were more than he’d scored in 10 previous games this season. His five rebounds were more than he’d grabbed in seven previous games.
Meanwhile, Kentucky’s defense made scoring difficult for Mississippi State throughout the half. The Bulldogs made only nine of 29 shots. Perry made only two of seven en route to a quiet five-point first half.
“It can take us really far because it takes a lot of the pressure off Nick and Ashton to make every single play for us,” Sestina said of Montgomery consistently being so productive. “If you can throw the ball to EJ in the post, space out and give him a little space, he’ll score the ball.”
Next game
No. 15 Kentucky at Tennessee
1 p.m. Saturday (CBS-27)
This story was originally published February 5, 2020 at 1:07 AM.
