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By Graham Shepherd – Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
The ‘Cats defeated Western Kentucky by a score of 87-68 in a Tuesday night matchup in Rupp Arena. It was a well fought battle between the two teams, as Western Kentucky held it owns against the ‘Cats for the majority of the game. The Kentucky lead was as low as 6 points in the second half, but the Kentucky veterans carried the ‘Cats to the finish line. Otega Oweh and Andrew Carr led the offense in scoring with 18 points each. Lamont Butler added 14 points, with 8 points coming from the free-throw line. Shooting was hard to come by for both teams as the ‘Cats shot just 40% from the field and 28% (8 of 29) from the three point line, while Western Kentucky shot 32% and 15% (4 of 26) from beyond the arc. The Kentucky defense proved to be the difference in this game, but the ‘Cats struggled from the charity stripe down the stretch, shooting just 69% (29 of 42). Cleaning up their free-throw shooting and adjusting the offense on a nights where they aren’t hitting their shots will be essential heading into December. It was the first home game this year that didn’t see the ‘Cats coast through the game for a huge win, and will be beneficial for the team as they head into a more difficult stretch of the schedule in the coming weeks. Kentucky looks to keep their winning ways intact this Friday against Georgia State.
Pre-Game Thoughts:
Kentucky entered Tuesdays matchup against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers with a 5-0 record. It was the final game of the BBN Invitational series that included the ‘Cats, Western Kentucky, Lipscomb and Jackson State. Both Kentucky and Western Kentucky went 2-0 in their games against Lipscomb and Jackson State over the last week. The ‘Cats continue to play team centered basketball as they came into their game against the Hilltoppers, with four players averaging double figures, and seven players averaging 6.8 PPG or more. The ‘Cats are keen to sharing the ball at every opportunity they have, as they lead the nation with 21.8 assist per game. The potent offensive attack is currently averaging 97 PPG, good for 3rd in the nation. The Kentucky offense is led by Otega Oweh (16.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.6 APG) and Koby Brea (16.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.4 APG, 74% from 3PT), who comes off the bench. In the latest AP Top 25 poll, the ‘Cats moved up one spot to No. 8 in the country. The Hilltoppers entered the game with a 3-2 record, with their two losses coming in the first two games of the season against Wichita State and Grand Canyon. The Western Kentucky team also has four players averaging double figures in scoring and are led by Senior Guard Don McHenry (17.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.8 APG). The team features a slew of seniors outside of Freshman Guard Julius Thedford (11.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 55% from 3PT). The ‘Cats look to continue their string of exciting basketball before Thanksgiving weekend.
The spread for Tuesday nights matchup versus Western Kentucky was -24.5 (Kentucky). The Over/Under points total was set at 165.5.
The starting lineup for the ‘Cats featured Lamont Butler, Jaxson Robinson, Otega Oweh, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams.
Game Recap:
First Half
The ‘Cats won the tip and Williams found a cutting Carr for an easy slam on the backdoor cut. The Hilltoppers returned with a three to start their scoring for the evening. Western Kentucky then found a loose ball and scored an easy two on the other end. Robinson scored his first three of the game to tie the game at 5 apiece. Butler found an errant pass and went the distance for a transition score. Butler then drove in for an and-one conversion as the ‘Cats led 9-7 heading into the first media timeout. Butler hit the free-throw following the timeout. Carr was fouled and hit two free-throws then found Garrison on an accurate pass to the post for an easy score as the ‘Cats led 14-7 with 14:49-minutes to play. The ‘Cats ran the pick and roll with Garrison as he again converted in the post. The Hilltoppers implemented a full court press then a mini zone and the ‘Cats found Robinson who let it fly from deep for another three. The ‘Cats failed to close on the defensive end, however, and allowed an easy basket. The Hilltoppers went on a quick 7-0 run to make the score 19-16 Kentucky at the under 12-minute media timeout. Carr fought for a offensive board then turned and hit a jumper in the paint and was fouled on the shot. The ‘Cats led 22-16 after the free-throw. The ‘Cats were in the bonus with 10:06-minutes to play in the half. Butler found a driving Oweh for an easy bucket. The ‘Cats led 24-18 with 7:39-minutes to play. Williams hit two free-throws following the timeout. Carr muscled his way to a score following a Robinson block on the defensive end to push the Kentucky lead to 31-20. Oweh took an athletic drive to the basket and hit a floater. Kriisa launched a pass to the basket and Oweh was fouled on his shot attempt. Brea took a deep three for his first points of the game. The ‘Cats led 38-24 with 3:20-minutes to play in the half. Kriisa nailed his first three of the game. The Hilltoppers responded with a three of their own. Butler missed two at the line after being fouled, while Thedford responded with an and-one on the other end for Western Kentucky to make the score 41-33 Kentucky. The ‘Cats passed their way to an open Oweh for an easy score. Robinson was fouled and went to the line where he hit both free-throws. The ‘Cats took a 45-33 lead into the half.
It was a sluggish start to the game for the ‘Cats on both ends of the floor. The defense held Western Kentucky to just 30% shooting from the field, while the ‘Cats shot 45% from the field and just 29% (4 of 14) from beyond the arc in the half. The largest lead in the first half was 16 points for Kentucky. The ‘Cats had 9 assists to 7 turnovers in the half and created 4 steals. The scoring was led by Andrew Carr with 9 points and Jaxson Robinson with 8 points in the half. The ‘Cats look to find their stride in the second half and will likely look to both Carr and Robinson to lead the way again.
Halftime: Kentucky 45 – Western Kentucky 33
Second Half
The second half began with a drive by Butler who was fouled and went to the line. Butler made both then found Carr with a no look pass for an easy score to push the lead to 49-33 early in the second half. Williams struggled mightily to start the half for Kentucky and the Hilltoppers fought back to within 12 points at 49-37. Carr was fouled and went to the line. He hit 1 of 2 free-throws. The Hilltoppers hit another three to cut the lead to 50-41. Oweh responded with a running layup on the baseline. Carr blocked a shot on defense then Butler was fouled and went back to the line. The ‘Cats led 52-41 at the under 16-minute media timeout. Butler hit both free-throws. Western Kentucky again cut it to a 9-point deficit. Kriisa nailed a logo three pointer to push the lead back to 57-45 ‘Cats. The Hilltoppers converted an and-one opportunity to narrow the score to 57-50 ‘Cats with 11:54-minutes to play. Oweh drove to the basket and converted once again. Carr forced a Western Kentucky turnover on the other end. Carr again cut to the basket and Butler found him. Brea curled off a screen and nailed a three at the top of the key. Oweh took a rebound coast-to-coast and was fouled on the shot. Oweh hit both to push the score to 66-53 Kentucky. Incredible passing saw Williams find Robinson to Oweh in the corner for a three. Williams grabbed an offensive board and put it back up and in with a foul. The ‘Cats led 71-57 with 7:18-minutes to play. Williams hit 1 of 2 free-throws at the line. Brea hit another wide-open three of a good screen from Garrison. The ‘Cats continued to show inability to pull away, as Western Kentucky pulled back within 12 with just under 5-minutes to play. The ‘Cats continued to leave a lot of points at the line down the stretch. Williams returned to the free-throw line and hit the pair. Williams grabbed an offensive board off a Carr miss and was again fouled and headed back to the line. A goaltending call from earlier in the second half was reversed after video review to make the score 78-61 Kentucky. Williams hit 1 of 2 at the line. Butler took a transition possession to the basket for an easy score. The Hilltoppers responded, then Butler drove to the rim again and was fouled after a handful of missed attempts. Butler hit both free-throws for an 83-64 ‘Cats lead. Carr gathered an offensive board and put it back up and in. The Hilltoppers converted an and-one attempt on the other end. The ‘Cats led 85-67 after the made free-throw. The ‘Cats went on to win by a score of 87-68.
Final: Kentucky 87 – Western Kentucky 68
Game Stats:
Western Kentucky FG %: 32% (15% 3PT – 4 of 26) (76% FT – 22 of 29)
Kentucky FG %: 40% (28% 3PT – 8 of 29) (69% FT – 29 of 42)
Rebounds: 54 – 41 Kentucky
Assist/Turnover Ratio: 16:11
Turnovers: UK (11), Western Kentucky (11)
Bench Points: 26 – 21 Western Kentucky
Points off Turnovers: 12 – 11 Western Kentucky
Fast Break Points: 23 – 11 Western Kentucky
Paint Points: 34 – 30 Kentucky
Player Stats:
Otega Oweh – [(18 points (4 rebounds)]
Andrew Carr – [(18 points) (10 rebounds) (3 assists) (1 block)]
Lamont Butler – [(14 points) (5 rebounds) (4 assists) (1 steal)]
Koby Brea – [(9 points) (3 rebounds) (1 steal)]
Jaxson Robinson – [(8 points) (6 rebounds) (4 assists) (2 blocks) (1 steal)]
Amari Williams – [(8 points) (10 rebounds) (3 assists) (4 blocks)]
Kerr Kriisa – [(8 points) (4 rebounds)]
Brandon Garrison – [(4 points) (5 rebounds) (1 assist) (1 steal)]
Ansley Almonor – [(1 rebound) (1 assist)]
Collin Chandler – [(1 steal)]
Next Game:
The ‘Cats (6-0) will return to Rupp Arena on Friday, November 29 to take on the Georgia State Panthers (3-2). Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST. The game will be available on the SEC Network.
