The Kentucky Wildcats ended the first half against the Brown Bears with a double-digit lead, but the performance left room for improvement. Despite forcing 14 turnovers and displaying moments of defensive dominance, Kentucky struggled to assert complete control, with Brown remaining within striking distance for much of the period. Brown also more than doubled the Cats up on the boards, so if they were able to hold on to the ball, this would be a much closer game.
Open corner 3️⃣ from @Travis_Perry11 is 🔥
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 31, 2024
📺 - ESPNU pic.twitter.com/Grnw8e4Z4T
.@apc_andrew HOT out of the gates, 7 PTS | 2 REB | 8 MIN.
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 31, 2024
📺 - ESPNU pic.twitter.com/90xhCLeLaQ
After building a 16-point lead at one stage, Kentucky allowed the Bears to trim the deficit to nine. However, a late flurry by the Wildcats extended their advantage back to 12, offering some breathing room heading into the break. Here’s a breakdown of the first-half stats:
We'll be back in 15 minutes. pic.twitter.com/ZgEqy0RyEs
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 31, 2024
Brown Bears
Starters
- Landon Lewis (#22): 3-5 FG, 1-2 FT, 4 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 3 PF, 7 PTS
- Malcolm Wrisby-Jefferson (#13): 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2 REB, 1 AST, 2 TO, 0 PTS
- Alexander Lesburt Jr. (#3): 1-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1 REB, 2 TO, 2 PTS
- Aaron Cooley (#21): 1-5 FG, 0-3 3PT, 3 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PTS
- Kino Lilly Jr. (#10): 4-7 FG, 1-4 3PT, 1 REB, 2 AST, 3 TO, 1 PF, 9 PTS
Bench
- N'famara Dabo (#45): 1-1 FG, 2 REB, 1 PF, 2 PTS
- Adrian Uchidiuno (#25): 1-2 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, 1 REB, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 5 PTS
- Lyndel Erold (#4): 0-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3 REB, 1 TO, 2 PF, 0 PTS
- Jeremiah Jenkins (#2): 0-0 FG, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 TO, 0 PTS
Team Totals: 11-26 FG (42.3%), 2-12 3PT (16.7%), 3-4 FT (75.0%), 21 REB (8 OREB, 13 DREB), 6 AST, 2 STL, 3 BLK, 14 TO, 11 PF, 27 PTS
Kentucky Wildcats
Starters
- Andrew Carr (#7): 4-6 FG, 1-2 3PT, 5-6 FT, 4 REB, 1 STL, 1 TO, 14 PTS
- Amari Williams (#22): 1-2 FG, 4-4 FT, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 6 PTS
- Otega Oweh (#0): 1-4 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 2 PF, 2 PTS
- Jaxson Robinson (#2): 2-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 TO, 6 PTS
- Lamont Butler (#1): 0-2 FG, 2-2 FT, 2 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 2 TO, 2 PTS
Bench
- Ansley Almonor (#15): 1-3 FG, 1-3 3PT, 3 PTS
- Brandon Garrison (#10): 1 REB, 3 AST
- Collin Chandler (#5): 0-1 FG, 1 TO, 0 PTS
- Travis Perry (#11): 1-1 FG, 1-1 3PT, 3 PTS
- Koby Brea (#4): 1-4 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2 BLK, 3 PTS
Team Totals: 11-26 FG (42.3%), 5-13 3PT (38.5%), 12-14 FT (85.7%), 10 REB (3 OREB, 7 DREB), 7 AST, 7 STL, 4 BLK, 4 TO, 5 PF, 39 PTS
Second Half Summary
.@amxriwillixms ➡️ @Robinsonjaxx ➡️ @amxriwillixms 🤩
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 31, 2024
📺 - ESPNU pic.twitter.com/7ygl0RkAIW
The second half started strong for the Wildcats as Otega Oweh hit a three-pointer followed by a layup to push the lead to 17. Kentucky’s relentless defensive pressure sped Brown up, allowing the Wildcats to increase their tempo and control the game. By the 16-minute timeout, the lead had grown to 20 points.
✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️✂️
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 31, 2024
📺 - ESPNU pic.twitter.com/soB31Iiqn0
Kentucky continued their dominance, extending the lead to 24 at the 12-minute mark and then to 32 by the under-8 timeout. The Wildcats also improved in the rebounding battle, narrowing Brown’s edge to just six, a +5 swing from the first half.
Let it fly, @brandonGarriso 3️⃣🔥🔥
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 31, 2024
📺 - ESPNU pic.twitter.com/gBgaALRzL3
Trent Noah, Travis Perry, and Collin Chandler saw action late in the game as Kentucky cruised to a comfortable finish. Outside of the first eight minutes, Brown struggled to provide any meaningful resistance. Kentucky wins 88-54 to bring in the New Year.
Team Statistics:
- Field Goal Percentage:Kentucky: 50.0% (30-60)Brown: 40.8% (20-49)
- Three-Point Percentage:Kentucky: 35.7% (10-28)Brown: 23.8% (5-21)
- Free Throw Percentage:Kentucky: 78.3% (18-23)Brown: 75.0% (9-12)
- Rebounds:Kentucky: 29 (9 offensive, 20 defensive)Brown: 35 (10 offensive, 25 defensive)
- Assists:Kentucky: 18Brown: 11
- Turnovers:Kentucky: 5Brown: 23
- Points off Turnovers:Kentucky: 33Brown: 4
- Points in the Paint:Kentucky: 38Brown: 20
- Fast Break Points:Kentucky: 11Brown: 6
Game Highlights:
- The Wildcats’ defensive pressure was evident, forcing 23 turnovers and converting them into 33 points.
- Kentucky’s bench contributed significantly, combining for 37 points led by Koby Brea.
- After a competitive first half, the Wildcats pulled away with a dominant second half, outscoring Brown by a wide margin and extending their lead to as much as 36 points.
- Brown struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 5 of 21 three-point attempts.
3 Stars of the afternoon
1. Andrew Carr
Andrew Carr: 12
— KSR (@KSRonX) December 31, 2024
Brown: 16
Can No. 7 beat the Bears? Don't go anywhere #BBN
LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/6gbLZT5Q9P
GAME THREAD: https://t.co/mRfKO4tIrU pic.twitter.com/HLznX32rJ7
Carr was aggressive from the jump, and that is the Carr that Kentucky needs every time the team takes the floor. Carr finished with 14 points 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists.
2. Otega Oweh
.@OtegaOweh FINISHING THROUGH THE CONTACT 💪
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 31, 2024
📺 - ESPNU pic.twitter.com/DNI5RerL55
Oweh was in foul trouble for some of the first half, but was always aggressive and looked to be in a better rhythm all game long. He finished with 13 points, 4 steals, 2 assists, 1 rebound.
3. Koby Brea
Great block by Koby Brea on Landen Lewis. Then he made a great pass to a shooter in the corner. Shot didn’t fall, but the sort of pass is one he so ll have to make at the next level. Especially out of the one dribble pump fake. #bbn #nbadraft
— Will (@_willmanzi) December 31, 2024
Brea's shot still isn't falling at the rate it did last year and earlier this year, but his defense was much improved as he added hustle stats. Koby finished with 13 points, 2 blocks and 2 rebounds.
While this game may not reveal much about Kentucky’s capabilities, it serves as a confidence boost ahead of their SEC opener against Florida.