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The ‘Cats caught fire against the No. 25 Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday afternoon in Rupp Arena on their way to a big 91-77 win. The ‘Cats nailed 9 first half three to take a 15-point lead into halftime, with 5 of those coming from Collin Chandler. Chandler and Oweh led all scorers in the game with 23 points each, with 17 of Oweh’s points coming in the second half. It was a complete game for Kentucky on both ends against a team that dominated the ‘Cats by 25-points in Nashville a few weeks ago. It was a big win that the ‘Cats had to have to improve their potential SEC and NCAA tournament seed heading into March. Johnson and Garrison gave serviceable minutes off the bench for the ‘Cats. The ‘Cats moved to 10-6 in SEC play heading into the final week of the regular season. The ‘Cats matchup with Texas A&M on the road on Tuesday and then finish up the regular season next Saturday at home against the No. 7 Florida Gators. The ‘Cats will look to keep today’s momentum rolling as the calendar turns to March. Let the madness begin!
Pre-Game Overview:
The starting lineup for the ‘Cats featured Denzel Aberdeen, Otega Oweh, Collin Chandler, Andrija Jelavic, and Malachi Moreno
The spread for Saturday afternoon’s game was -1.5 (Kentucky) and the Over/Under was set at 157.5.
Game Recap:
First Half
The ‘Cats won the tip and Moreno collected an offensive rebound and scored off a Chandler missed three. Vanderbilt responded with a three from Miles. Chandler hit his first three of the game in the corner. Okereke scored in the pain on the next Vandy possession. Chandler nailed his second three of the game then Oweh stole a pass and slammed home a dunk for a 10-5 Kentucky lead. Jelavic connected on an and-one off a pass from Aberdeen after a Vandy three. He hit the free-throw for a 13-8 ‘Cats lead. Jelavic nailed a three at the top of the key. Oweh responded with a deep mid-range after a putback from Vandy. The ‘Cats found Chandler in the corner for another three. The ‘Cats led 21-14 into the under 16-minute media timeout, connecting on 8 of their first 11 field goals, and 4 threes in the first 6-minutes of action. Chandler nailed his fourth three of the game in the corner for a 24-14 Kentucky lead. Aberdeen hit a downhill runner for the ‘Cats. Kentucky led 26-16 with 11:24-minutes to play in the first half. Aberdeen nailed a three of an offensive board. Oweh stole a pass after a solid Moreno defensive stand for a 31-16 Kentucky lead. Washington ended a 4-minute Vandy scoring drought with a floater in the paint. Jasper Johnson responded with his first three of the game. The ‘Cats led 34-18 with 7:22-minutes to play in the first half. Aberdeen nailed a deep three for the ‘Cats off a broken possession. Tanner hit a pull-up jumper and Moreno responded with a score for the ‘Cats. Moreno was fouled on a cut to the basket and the shot on the next ‘Cats possession. He hit 1 of 2 at the line. The ‘Cats forced a deep air-balled three from Vandy on the next defensive stand. The ‘Cats led 42-22 with 3:20-minutes to play in the first half. Vanderbilt scored on back-to-back possessions and then Garrison fouled on a three-point shot to give Vandy the momentum. Miles hit all three free-throws and the ‘Cats led 42-29. Chandler responded with his 5th three of the game. Dioubate was fouled on a shot and went to the line with 30-seconds to play in the half. He hit 1 of 2 at the line. The ‘Cats led 46-31 at the half.
The ‘Cats shot a red-hot 55% from the field in the first half and 56% (9 of 16) from beyond the arc. Chandler led all scorers with 15 first half points on 5 made threes. Aberdeen added 8 points and Oweh and Jelavic each had 6 points each. The entire ‘Cats rotation gave good minutes throughout the half, but it seemed the ‘Cats and Pope let off the gas a little midway through the first half, while still taking a healthy lead into the half. Okereke led Vandy is scoring with 9 first half points. The ‘Cats assisted on 12 of 17 made field goals and committed just 3 first half turnovers.
Halftime: Kentucky 46 – Vanderbilt 31
Second Half
Vanderbilt began with the ball to start the second half and scored an easy bucket at the rim with the ‘Cats defense sleeping. Oweh scored off an inbounds play and pass from Chandler. Miles walked into a three for the Commodores. Oweh dribbled off his foot on the next ‘Cats possession. Aberdeen was fouled on a drive to the rim. He hit both free-throws. Moreno was fouled on the shot off a mismatch in the paint. He hit both free-throws for a 52-36 ‘Cats lead. Aberdeen dribbled off a screen into a three for a score. Vandy answered with an Okereke three. Nickel scored off a ‘Cats turnover. Kentucky led 55-41 at the under 16-minute media timeout. Chandler nailed a three off a screen for his 6th of the day. Chandler hit his 7th three of the game but it was called off as an offensive foul for kicking his leg out. Rupp erupted in displeasure. Dioubate was fouled on a cutting dunk attempt and hit 1 of 2 at the line for a 59-41 ‘Cats lead. Nickel nailed a deep three for the Commodores. Garrison was fouled hard at the rim and the play was reviewed for a flagrant act by McGlockton. A dead ball contact foul was called in addition to the shooting foul against Vandy. Chandler hit 1 of 2 of the technical free-throws. Moreno powered his way to the rim and scored through contact for a 62-44 lead. Tanner scored on a runner for Vandy. Oweh drove it coast-to-coast after a save from Dioubate and scored on an and-one. The ‘Cats led 64-46 with 11:50-minutes to play in the game. Oweh hit the free-throw out of the timeout. Chandler stole the ball and was fouled on a drive to the basket. Chandler hit both free-throws. Dioubate hit both free-throws on a foul in the paint. Bing slammed in a dunk to make the score 69-50 Kentucky. Washington caught an alley-oop for Vandy on the next possession. Oweh hit a spinning mid-range jumper for a ‘Cats score. Dioubate drove it to the paint and was fouled again on a shot attempt. He hit both free-throws. The ‘Cats led 73-54 with 8:19-minutes to play in the game. Aberdeen was called for a hook and hold foul. Washington hit both free-throws. Dioubate went strong to the rim off a full court press and scored. Nickel held Oweh and was called for a foul. Oweh hit 1 of 2 at the line for a 76-60 ‘Cats lead. Aberdeen rode a defender to the basket and scored easily. Tanner scored on a mid-range jumper and was fouled by Oweh. Tanner hit the free-throw. Oweh drove and scored at the rim through contact. Oweh took it coast-to-coast for another layup. Chandler drove by a Moreno screen and scored. Tanner and Moreno traded buckets and the ‘Cats called a timeout leading 86-67 with 4:48-minutes to play. Oweh drove again through defenders and scored with an and-one. He made the free-throw for a 89-67 Kentucky lead. Tanner hit a mid-range jumper. The ‘Cats went into the under 4-minute media timeout having converted 8 consecutive field goals. Nickel nailed a three for Vandy. Nickel again nailed a three to make it a 89-75 Kentucky lead. Oweh was fouled on a drive to the rim. He nailed both free-throws. Washington was left alone and slammed home a score. The ‘Cats went on to win the game by a score of 91-77.
Final: Kentucky 91 – Vanderbilt 77
Game Stats:
Vanderbilt FG %: 52% (25% 3PT – 7 of 28) (91% FT – 10 of 11)
Kentucky FG %: 59% (50% 3PT – 11 of 22) (80% FT – 20 of 25)
Rebounds: 29 – 22 Kentucky
Assist/Turnover Ratio: 16:11
Turnovers: UK (11), Vanderbilt (11)
Bench Points: 22 – 13 Vanderbilt
Points off Turnovers: 17 – 12 Kentucky
Fast Break Points: 17 – 7 Kentucky
Paint Points: 40 – 34 Vanderbilt
Player Stats:
Otega Oweh – [(23 points) (2 rebounds) (4 assists) (2 steals)]
Collin Chandler – [(23 points) (2 assists) (1 steal)]
Denzel Aberdeen – [(15 points) (4 rebounds) (4 assists)]
Malachi Moreno – [(11 points) (6 rebounds) (5 assists)]
Mouhamed Dioubate – [(8 point) (4 rebounds) (3 steals)]
Andrija Jelavic – [(6 points) (3 rebounds) (1 steal)]
Jasper Johnson – [(3 points) (1 rebound) (1 assist)]
Brandon Garrison – [(2 points) (2 rebounds) (1 steal)]
Trent Noah – [(2 rebounds)]
Jayden Quaintance – [OUT/DNP right knee swelling]
Kam Williams – [OUT with foot surgery]
Jaland Lowe – [OUT for the season with right shoulder surgery]
Next Game:
The Kentucky Wildcats (19-10, 10-6 SEC) will hit the road to take on the Texas A&M Aggies (19-9, 9-6 SEC) on Tuesday, March 3 at Reed Arena in College Station. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST. The game will be televised on ESPN.
