Third and Long

Ramon Harris update: UK athletics release:

Kentucky forward Ramon Harris fainted just outside the UK locker room before the start of the second half in Saturday’s game at Alabama. He was taken to DCH Medical Center from Coleman Coliseum. Harris regained consciousness just after he fainted and remained alert at the hospital.

All test of his vitals were good. He was released from DCH Medical Center at approximately 6 p.m. Harris will visit with the UK Medical Staff this evening for further observation after returning to Lexington. He is considered day-to-day.

* Kentucky improved to 5-0 in the Southeastern Conference and 16-4 overall.

At the begining of the second half, the team prayed for teammate Ramon Harris Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Harris collapsed prior to the start of the second half and was transported to a nearby hospital. Photo by Victoria Graff.

SEC. Look for Kentucky to break into the Top 25 for teh first time this season when the rankings are released Monday afternoon.

* The immediate concern is the health of junior forward Ramon Harris, who was transported by ambulance to DCH medical center after collapsing prior to the start of the second half. Kentucky coach Bill Gillispie didn’t return to the Kentucky bench until after the second half began.

“It’s a serious deal when a guy faints,” Gillispie said. “He threw up and they said after that they started thinking he was feeling a little better. He had a little shortness of breath to start, and that’s what concerned them the most.”

* Jodie Meeks again was the star for the Cats. Meeks finished with 27 points and scored 16 of those in the second half. Meeks is turning into a true leader for this group of Wildcats.

* Kentucky’s starting lineup is starting to click as a unit. The combination of Harris, Meeks, Patrick Patterson, Michael Porter and Perry Stevenson improved to 9-2 on the season. The first player off the bench was Darius Miller.

* Kentucky had 23 turnovers, the most recorded in SEC play. Kentucky had 23 in a 72-54 win over Indiana on Dec. 13 at Rupp Arena.

* Perry Stevenson had back-to-back double-double for the second time as a Wildcat with 16 points and 12 boards. Patrick Patterson fouled out for the first time this season. Patterson has went over the limit five times in his career at UK.

* DeAndre Liggins added 11 points off the bench. It was his highest point total since scoring 18 in an 88-65 win over Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 7.

Final Box:

KENTUCKY – Stevenson 3-9 10-13 16, Patterson 3-6 0-0 6, Porter 0-3 0-0 0, Harris 0-2 1-2 1, Meeks 10-18 4-6 27, Miller 0-2 0-0 0, Galloway 0-0 0-0 0, Stewart 0-1 0-0 0, Liggins 3-6 4-5 11, Harrellson 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 19-49 19-26 61.<

ALABAMA – Green 5-9 5-7 15, Knox 2-5 1-2 5, Torrance 0-8 0-0 0, Gee 3-10 2-2 8, Hillman 3-12 1-2 9, Brock 2-7 0-1 6, A.Steele 1-4 1-1 3, Coleman 1-3 3-6 5. Totals 17-58 13-21 51.<

Halftime_Alabama 25-19. 3-Point Goals_Kentucky 4-13 (Meeks 3-5, Liggins 1-2, Harrellson 0-1, Harris 0-1, Stevenson 0-2, Miller 0-2), Alabama 4-12 (Brock 2-3, Hillman 2-3, Gee 0-2, Torrance 0-4). Fouled Out_Patterson. Rebounds_Kentucky 42 (Stevenson 12), Alabama 36 (Coleman, Gee 6). Assists_Kentucky 13 (Stevenson 4), Alabama 8 (Gee, Green 2). Total Fouls_Kentucky 18, Alabama 18. Technical_Alabama Bench. A_15,316.