[Quality88]

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The University of Kentucky's win over No. 3 Tennessee on Tuesday night could be the turning point of the season for the Wildcats. It's no coincidence that Perry Stevenson was the one doing the steering.
Previously, Stevenson was just as likely to have more fouls than points. But the 6-foot-9 sophomore forward delivered the missing scoring production the Wildcats (8-9, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) sorely needed against Tennessee.
"Perry has been playing very well for us ever since conference started," UK coach Billy Gillispie said. "He's got a lot more confidence."
For just the third time this season, Stevenson cracked double figures in scoring with 14 points. In what he called his best game of the season, he added seven rebounds and five blocks in UK's 72-66 victory.
The Cats can depend on Stevenson for solid minutes and an array of stats. Against Vanderbilt, he had a career-high five steals. At Mississippi State, he snagged seven rebounds -- just the third time this season he had as many.
Stevenson, who turned 21 yesterday, attributed his recent improvements to maturity.

Stevenson fueling Cats' latest spurt