(ADDING INFORMATION, QUOTES) 

(25) KENTUCKY 62, ALA ANCHORAGE 42
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LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Ticker) -- Tayshaun Prince scored 10 points
as 25th-ranked Kentucky overcame a sluggish start before posting
an unimpressive 62-42 victory over Division II Alaska-Anchorage.

Kentucky, which fell out of the rankings earlier this month,
struggled for a good part of the first half and trailed 16-13
with 6:33 remaining. But the Wildcats closed the half with a
14-2 burst to open a nine-point advantage. 

Jamaal Magloire and freshman Marvin Stone added 10 points apiece
for the Wildcats (7-4), who returned to the rankings this week
following impressive victories over Michigan State and
Louisville. 

"The intensity level wasn't there," Magloire said. "We just need
to work on some things and look forward to a good Missouri team.
We have to continue to work and do what it takes to win." 

Scott Larrabee scored 14 points for Alaska Anchorage (5-3),
which has suffered all three of its losses to Division I
opponents.  The Seawolves lost to Washington and Louisville in
the Great Alaska Shootout last month. 

The Wildcats looked nothing like a ranked team for a good
portion of the first half and were behind 16-13 after Larrabee
nailed a 3-pointer with 6:33 to play before intermission. 

However, Kentucky finally awoke.  Saul Smith scored seven
straight points, Stone hit two free throws and Nate Knight made
a follow shot, giving the Wildcats a 24-16 lead with 2:50 left
in the half. 

Smith scored all nine of his points in the opening 20 minutes as
the Wildcats led 27-18 at the break despite shooting just 32
percent (10-of-31).  The Seawolves were even worse from the
floor, shooting just 23 percent (6-of-26). 

"I think we just showed a lack of focus at times," Smith said.
"We can't have that. I don't think we had a letdown, we won by
20. I don't think we played as well as we could have or should
have." 

Kentucky built on its momentum in the second half and took its
largest lead at 46-25 with 11:13 to play following a 3-pointer
by J.P. Blevins. 

Blevins' 3-pointer was the only one the Wildcats connected on
from beyond the arc as they went a woeful 1-of-17 from 3-point
range. 

Kentucky shot 37 percent overall (25-of-67) while holding the
Seawolves to 25 percent (15-of-59). Alaska-Anchorage did win the
rebounding battle, 46-44. 

"The horses were just too big for us tonight, but our game plan
was to run our offense, run the shot clock down and look for a
good shot," Alaska-Anchorage coach Charlie Bruns said. "I
thought we executed that pretty well." 

st 12-27-99 23:33 et