Stats, highlights, and stars from Kentucky basketball's ugly win over Colgate

The Colgate Raiders entered Rupp Arena with a 2-8 record, facing an early and significant challenge as they fell behind 17-0. The score however did not reflect the nature of the game, as the Cats were struggling to score as well. The Raiders missed their first ten shots and went scoreless for the first 7 minutes of the game.

However, despite the slow start, Colgate managed to fight back, launching an 11-0 run to bring the game close again. Over the last 13 minutes of the first half, Colgate impressively outscored Kentucky 36-22, narrowing the gap. The Cats pushed the lead back to 10 at 31-21, however another run from Colgate kept the game too close for comfort. This time the raiders ran off a 16-7 spurt to close the half.

The half ended with a dramatic moment as Colgate managed an offensive rebound and hit a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded, closing the score to 38-36. Koby Brea was immense for Kentucky in the first half, and the Cats will need better performances from nearly everyone in the second half.

Jaxson Robinson and Travis Perry combined for just 1-9 shooting, and the rest of the team wasn't much better. 37% from the field, 26% from three, and just 66% from the line saw the Cats offense continue to sputter.

First Half Stats:

Colgate Raiders

Led by Parker Jones who has 9 points on 3-5 shooting from deep. The Raiders had 8 three pointers in the first half, 10 assists and 4 turnovers.

Field Goals: 14-34 (41.2%)
Three-Point: 8-19 (42.1%)
Free Throw: 0-0 (0.0%)
Rebounds: 19 (4 offensive, 15 defensive)
Assists: 10
Steals: 2
Blocks: 0
Turnovers: 4 for 6 points off turnovers
Points in Paint: 8
Fast Break Points: 8
Fouls: 8

Kentucky Wildcats

Led by Koby Brea who had 12 points on 4-4 from three. The Cats did not rebound as well as they have been just outrebounding Colgate by 5.

Field Goals: 13-35 (37.1%)
Three-Point: 4-15 (26.7%)
Free Throw: 8-12 (66.7%)
Rebounds: 24 (9 offensive, 15 defensive)
Assists: 7
Steals: 2
Blocks: 2
Turnovers: 2 for 5 points off turnovers
Points in Paint: 18
Fast Break Points: 2
Fouls: 2

The second half started with an Amari Williams post up, but a quick 5 points from Colgate gave the raiders their first lead of the game 41-40. The Cats answered with another Amari Williams post and the big man made the shot, but could not convert the free throw.

Colgate continued to work on the offensive end with back cuts and took a 47-46 lead into the first TV timeout of the second half. When the teams retook the court, Kentucky ran off 12 straight points with 4 straight three pointers, 2 from Robinson, 1 from Noah, and 1 from Oweh. Kentucky took a 58-49 lead at the under 12 timeout.

The Cats went on a 23-4 run to push the lead up to 18 for the largest lead of the night with only 5 minutes to go. Colgate provided a scare, and Kentucky was not at their best but the Cats preveiled in a game that closer than expected. Sometimes you gotta win the ugly ones.

Final Stats

Field Goals:
Colgate: 27/66 (40.9%)
Kentucky: 30/70 (42.9%)
Three Pointers:
Colgate: 11/33 (33.3%)
Kentucky: 10/31 (32.3%)
Free Throws :
Colgate: 2/3 (66.7%)
Kentucky: 8/13 (61.5%)
Rebounds:
Colgate: 35 (8 offensive, 27 defensive)
Kentucky: 46 (16 offensive, 30 defensive)
Assists:
Colgate: 15
Kentucky: 15
Steals:
Colgate: 5
Kentucky: 6
Blocks:
Colgate: 0
Kentucky: 4
Total Turnovers:
Colgate: 8
Kentucky: 6
Points Off Turnovers:
Colgate: 7
Kentucky: 7
Fast Break Points:
Colgate: 11
Kentucky: 6
Points in Paint:
Colgate: 24
Kentucky: 40
Fouls:
Colgate: 11
Kentucky: 6
Largest Lead:
Colgate: 3
Kentucky: 18

Stars of the night

1. Koby Brea

Kentucky would be absolutely lost without Koby's shooting in this one. He was ready to go from the tip and answered with big shots all game long. Brea finished with 17 points and 5 rebounds.

2. Andrew Carr

Carr once again provided a steady hand when the Cats needed it. He finished the game with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists.

3. Trent Noah

While Noah only scored 3 points, with 1 assist and 1 rebound, he came into the game and provided solid defense, good passing, and helped Kentucky when the game was in doubt.

The Cats are next in action Saturday against Louisville.