John Clay’s Sidelines

From press row at Rupp Arena for UK vs. Missouri-St. Louis:

• Kentucky shot 62.9 percent the first half. After missing six of its first seven shots, the Cats hit 21 of their next 28. They made six of 14 three-pointers. Although, I’m going to say that I don’t trust these stats. It originally had Meeks going 0-for-5, now lists him at 4-for-7, which isn’t possible. I have Meeks making four of 12 shots in the first half. So UK’s numbers are subject to change, I’ll bet. It is an exhibition game, so they’re working the bugs out, I guess.

• Patterson led Cats with 17 points in first half. Meeks scored 14, Harrellson 11, Stevenson 9, Harris 5, Miller 4, Carter 2 and Liggins 1.

• Halftime: Kentucky 63, UMSL 23.

• Landon Slone and Mark Krebs check in with 26.5 seconds left in half.

• Stevenson makes a three-pointer to push Kentucky lead to 60-21.

• Now 48-17 Kentucky at the 3:52 TV timeout. Problem with UK stat monitor. It has Harrellson with 18 points, and Patterson five. That ain’t right. Patrick has 12. Harrellson has 11. Hey, it’s first game.

• UK leads 45-15 at 4:50 mark. Harrellson adds a three-pointer to his output. Maybe the fact that he’s from St. Charles, Missouri, playing against Missouri-St. Louis has something to do with it. The big man has 11 points.

• Cats extend lead to 36-11 at 7:06 mark, and Josh Harrellson was the star of that segment. The juco transfer now has eight points. Included was a sneaky effort rebound off a missed free throw, then a reverse basket after getting the rebound. Next trip, the 6-10 sophomore hit a jumper from the circle. After hitting just one of its first seven shots, the Cats are now up to 54.2 percent, having made 13 of 24 from the floor.

• Patterson has 12 points as UK leads 28-9.

• Liggins and Harrelson check in at 10:14.

• Cats up 21-6 with 10:14 left in first half. Darius Miller hit jumper from the right baseline for his first points. Michael Porter hit Patterson with a nice lob basket for a pretty basket. Cats are playing hard, and Gillispie seems to want to see what most of the starters can do together. Carter and Miller have been only subs to this point. UK has hit seven of 17 shots to this point. UMSL has made just two of 15. UK has a 16-8 rebound advantage.

• Jared Carter is first sub off bench for Cats, replacing Stevenson at 12:37. Miller follows right after during same time out.

• UK leads 10-0 at first TV time out, 14:50 mark. Cats opened by missing six of their first seven shots. Patrick Patterson scored first five points. Perry Stevenson hit two free throws. Then after missing his first five shots, Jodie Meeks buried a three-pointer from the right wing. Right now, the Cats are 3-of-11 from the floor, including 1-of-5 from behind the new three-point line. The visitors don’t appear to have much offensive firepower. UMSL has missed its first seven shots.

• Hey, we’re back to the “Thunderstruck” opening, which is much, much better than that thing they used last year. It’s also appropriate, since AC/DC are back on the charts.

• UK is starting Michael Porter, Ramon Harris, Jodie Meeks, Perry Stevenson and Patrick Patterson.