Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

No. 8 Kentucky jumped out to a 15-2 run in the opening few minutes as the Wildcats beat Eastern Illinois 99-53 in the final game of the BBN United Tipoff Classic.

EIU (1-3) went 1-2 in the tournament beating Nicholls at home with road losses at Valparaiso and Kentucky.

EIU stopped the UK run with back-to-back 3-pointers by JT Elder and Andrew Austin as EIU was 3-of-11 from 3-point range in the opening half, finishing 6-of-18 for the game.

Elder had all eight of his points in the first half.

UK led 47-19 at the half shooting 52.9 percent from the field.  Mouhamed Dioubate had ten of his 20 points in the opening half.  The Wildcats ended the game with five double figure scorers.

Terry McMorris had three blocks in the opening half and picked up his offense in the second half.  McMorris led the Panthers with 18 points.

Austin finished with 13 points, going 3-of-6 from 3-point range.

Kentucky (3-1) dominated play on the glass finishing with a 49-17 rebounding edge.  Dioubate had 11 rebounds.  McMorris and Kooper Jacobi each had four rebounds to lead EIU.