CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Keon Johnson led a balanced Brooklyn attack with 18 points, and the Nets snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 104-83 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.
Jalen Wilson added 15 points and Tosan Evbuomwan had 14 for the Nets, who never trailed.
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Charlotte Hornets guard Vasa Micic (22) passes against Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) and center Nic Claxton during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. (8) shoots over Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets forward Taj Gibson (67) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson (45) shoots against Charlotte Hornets forward Taj Gibson during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez directs his team against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate, left, drives past Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) drives against Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets guard Seth Curry (30) shoots against Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) drives into Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Ben Simmons returned after missing the last five games with an illness and a back injury and had 10 points and six rebounds off the bench for the Nets.
Miles Bridges had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Hornets, who played without four regular starters including LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, Brandon Miller and Josh Green. Vasa Micic overcame an early chest injury and returned to finish with 15 points and seven rebounds.
The Hornets had limited options offensively, and were held to 34% shooting from the floor and 29% from 3-point range.
Nets: Among the Nets who did not play were Cam Thomas (left hamstring strain), Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot recovery), Noah Clowney (left ankle sprain) and Cameron Johnson (right ankle sprain). The Nets won despite being outrebounded 52-40.
Hornets: The training staff is continuing to evaluate Ball's most recent ankle sprain, but coach Charles Lee has not given an update on how long he expects the 2022 All-Star to be out. Williams missed the game due to left foot injury management.
Brooklyn bolted to an 11-2 lead and pushed the advantage to 21 entering the fourth quarter.
The Nets held the Hornets to 30% shooting in the first half and led 53-37 at the break.
The Nets visits the Rockets on Saturday night; the Hornets franchise-long nine-game homestand continues Friday night against the Clippers.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Charlotte Hornets guard Vasa Micic (22) passes against Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (22) and center Nic Claxton during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. (8) shoots over Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets forward Taj Gibson (67) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson (45) shoots against Charlotte Hornets forward Taj Gibson during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez directs his team against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate, left, drives past Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) drives against Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Charlotte Hornets guard Seth Curry (30) shoots against Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) drives into Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabate during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Otega Oweh scored 20 points and No. 17 Kentucky took advantage of its size to start the second half to pull away for an 82-61 win over Vanderbilt on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats (18-8, 7-6 Southeastern Conference) led 41-40 at the half, but focused on going inside for their first three baskets of the second half and forced the Commodores to take a timeout three minutes in.
Amari Williams added 17 points for the Wildcats.
Devin McGlockton led Vanderbilt (17-9, 5-8) with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Commodores only shot 30% from the field in the second half — including 1 for 10 on 3-pointers — after shooting 49% in the first half.
Vanderbilt: The Commodores continued a troubling trend in second halves of conference games. They have allowed opponents to shoot 56% in the second half, 45% on 3-pointers. Kentucky shot 65% in the second half and 50% on 3s.
Kentucky: The Wildcats have only been at full strength seven times this season. They played without starters Lamont Butler (shoulder) and Jaxson Robinson (wrist) for the second straight game. Using a point guard by committee, freshmen Travis Perry and Colin Chandler combined for 13 points and seven rebounds.
After Vanderbilt had got within three points at 47-44, Kentucky went on a 12-2 run to open a double-digit lead at 59-46. Williams and Carr scored two baskets each and Koby Brea ended it with a 3-pointer.
The Commodores dominated the paint in the first half, outscoring the Wildcats 20-12 inside and holding an 18-12 rebounding edge, including eight offensive boards. Kentucky reversed that in the second half, winning the rebounding battle 18-12 and 20-14 in the paint.
Both teams play on Saturday, with Vanderbilt hosting No. 25 Mississippi and Kentucky traveling to No. 4 Alabama.
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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Kentucky's Otega Oweh (00) goes up between, from left, Vanderbilt's Chris Manon (30), Tyler Nickel (5) and Jason Edwards during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/James Crisp)