By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEXINGTON - The coach knew what to expect. So in an attempt to simulate Kentucky's defensive pressure, Winthrop coach Gregg Marshall asked his offense to practice against six defenders prior to Friday's game against the No. 10-ranked Wildcats.

Winthrop's Billy Houston looks for help as he is pressured by Kentucky's Chuck Hayes. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

"We simulated it to a degree," Marshall said. "But that guy was just running around like a chicken with his head cut off trying to disrupt things."

The extra preparation helped little. UK's defense forced 29 turnovers in a 65-44 season and home-opening win against Winthrop before 21,271 fans at Rupp Arena.

Because of that defensive pressure, the Wildcats were able to overcome their own offensive shortcomings.

Winthrop forced 24 UK turnovers, 14 in the second half, and Kentucky shot 44.9 percent from the field for the game.

"That was rough for us today," senior forward Erik Daniels said. "We couldn't get anything going. We just didn't take care of the ball.

"Everybody was in a hurry, rushing a little bit. I guess we were excited for the first game. That's something we're going to have to work on."

Daniels led all scorers with 15 points and had eight rebounds.

"I thought we did a good job defensively," Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith said. "When we aren't shooting the ball well, I like that we can hang in there with our defense."

Kentucky, which is coming off a season in which it went 19-0 in the Southeastern Conference, was able to overcome its own offensive shortcomings.

The Wildcats led 32-21 at halftime despite shooting 40.7 percent.

"(Coach) just wanted us to pick up the intensity," Daniels said, "and cut down on the turnovers."

A 16-3 run to open the half gave the Wildcats a 24-point lead with 13 minutes remaining.

"We've got a pretty athletic team and a pretty experienced team," Smith said. "If we don't come up with a great defensive effort tonight, then (Winthrop) comes away with a win."

NOTE: Kentucky forward Antwain Barbour did not play as part of a three-game punishment for an offseason traffic violation.

Winthrop	M	FG	Att	FT	Att	R	A	F	TO	TP
Cooke	21	2	6	1	1	2	1	1	4	6
Walker	33	2	8	0	1	3	2	0	5	4
Bradshaw	20	1	3	1	2	4	0	3	6	4
Houston	23	0	3	2	2	5	0	4	2	2
Jenkins	32	1	7	2	2	3	2	2	5	5
Shuler	26	1	6	2	2	1	1	0	5	4
Key	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Holland	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	3
Martin	20	2	6	1	2	0	0	2	1	6
Grant	16	4	6	1	3	7	0	2	0	9
Leventis	2	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	1
Totals	200	14	47	11	17	31	7	14	29	44

Team rebounds - 6.

Kentucky	M	FG	Att	FT	Att	R	A	F	TO	TP
Daniels	29	7	12	0	0	8	1	3	2	15
Hayes	22	5	6	0	0	4	2	2	3	12
Azubuike	25	3	4	2	2	9	1	2	5	11
Hawkins	30	2	6	0	0	3	7	2	5	4
Fitch	25	2	8	7	8	2	0	3	4	12
Stockton	15	1	1	2	2	1	2	2	2	5
Carrier	6	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
Obrzut	9	0	3	0	0	2	0	2	0	0
Cote	5	1	2	0	1	0	0	1	0	2
Perry	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Alleyne	11	0	3	1	4	2	0	1	1	1
Thomas	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Moss	11	1	3	0	0	2	0	0	1	3
Totals	200	22	49	12	17	34	14	18	24	65

Team rebounds - 1.

Kentucky	32	33	-65
Winthrop	21	23	-44

3-pointers - W 5-19 (Cooke 1-1, Walker 0-4, Bradshaw 1-2, Jenkins 1-5, Shuler 0-1, Holland 1-2, Martin 1-3, Grant 0-1), UK 9-18 (Daniels 1-1, Hayes 2-3, Azubuike 3-3, Hawkins 0-2, Fithc 1-3, Stockton 1-1, Cote 0-1, Perry 0-1, Moss 1-3). Attendance - 21,271.