PAGE 7    THE CATS'  PAUSE, JANUARY 8
Kentucky Destroys Notre Dame
102-78 At Louisville
Kentucky's Wildcats, still smarting from a humiliating 70-68 loss to Utah in the finals of the University of Kentucky Invitational Tournament before Christmas, took our the frustration on powerful Notre Dame Thursday night at Louisville's Freedom Hall.
When all was said and done, coach Joe B. Hall's "Eager Eleven" swarmed past number two ranked and previously unbeaten Notre Dame 102-78 after leading the Fighting Irish by as much as 34 points in the second half.
Notre Dame, which entered the game as a sure-bet for the number one ranking [top-ranked Michigan had been beaten earlier in the week] with a win over the Wildcats, matched the Big Blue for the first five minutes before the Kentucky five exploded.
Jack Givens, the super-velvet shooting artist, had one of his greatest games in scoring 30 points on fifteen of nineteen from the field and was voted the Most Valuable Player of the game.
After tie scores at 6,8,10,12 and 14, the Wildcats took the lead for good when freshman Jay Shidler rippled the nets from twenty feet out.
It was the beginning of a nine-point streak for the Cats and suddenly Notre Dame trailed 23-14 within a two-min-
ute span.
Kentucky stretched the lead to 21 points by halftime (53-32) as Givens pumped home twenty points in the first twenty minutes.
Meanwhile, Bruce Flowers was giving Digger Phelps' Fighting Irish their only offense of the half, scoring eight points and hauling down four rebounds.
Both teams were red-hot from the field the first half as Notre Dame hit 14 of 26 for a 53.8 percent but Ky. was a little warmer. Canning 24 of 39 attempts, the Wildcats blistered the nets for a 61.5 clip.
The difference in the 21-point margin came in the turnover department where Notre Dame was guilty of 15 mistakes to only 6 for Kentucky.
Big Mike Phillips ripped off two buckets from in close to open the second half and Notre Dame was never to threaten again although the Irish did slice ten points off the final margin with a late all-court press against the Wildcat second unit.
Givens was Kentucky's top scorer with 30 points while Rick Robey had a torrid night from the field on eight of nine and ended his exhibition with 18 points and 8 rebounds, tops for the night. Phillips contributed 15 points
and Shidler had 12 crucial points, mostly on long-range jumpers early in the first half when the Irish were forced to come out after the blonde -bomber. James Lee, who brought the crowd of more than 16,000 to their feet with a slam-dunk, pitched in 10 points.
Notre Dame had four in double figures, headed by Flowers and Toby Knight who had 14 apiece followed by Dave Batton with 11 and Ron Branning with 10.
For the game, Notre Dame hit 52.4 percent on 33 of 63 from the field and 12 of 21 from the free throw line for 57.1 percent.
Kentucky finished with 62.5 percent on 45 of 72 from the field and 12 of 17 from the line for a 70.6 clip. The Wildcats outrebounded Notre Dame 37-31.
"This was a well played game," said a jubliliant Hall after the sounding thrashing of the nation's number two club, "we certainly were ready and the shots were falling. We played very aggressively on defense, something which we discussed prior to the game. We got a much better job on the boards than we expected."
"This game came from hard work and discipline," Hall continued, "the hard work began on Christmas night
when we got back to practice after the holiday break. This bunch just decided they were going to pick it up again and they did."
What's Digger Phelps' impression of Kentucky now?
"They're very quick, very good shooters, very strong inside and very strong outside," answered Phelps, "What can you say bad about them? They're a great basketball team, just unbelievable."
"I don't have any excuses," said Phelps, "we could have had the Pope on the bench and they'd have beaten us tonight.
Where will Notre Dame go from here? Phelps isn't too concerned.
"It's not an Irish wake. We just have to regroup," said the Irish coach, "we're very happy right now. What were we, 29th in the pre-season poll? We played eight and won seven. This is not the end of the world."
Did Joe Hall ever dream of leading the second best club in the nation by 34 points?
"No, I didn't think it would be possible," said Hall, "but this was a case of total dedication and a super effort on our part. This may be the best game we have ever played."