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.

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:

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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.