Kentucky’s win over Western Kentucky wasn’t the prettiest, and fans weren’t thrilled with the performance. But digging into the numbers reveals just how unique the victory was. Despite shooting struggles, the Wildcats dominated, earning a 19-point win in Rupp Arena, 87-68.

Historic stats to consider

Corey Price, a Kentucky basketball tweet fanatic, pointed out several fascinating tidbits about this game:

Finding Positives in the Win

Though fans might have been frustrated with the inconsistency, Kentucky showcased resilience. Their defense held Western Kentucky to just 30.3% shooting in the first half, helping the Wildcats build a comfortable lead despite their offensive struggles. Each time Western made a run to cut the lead, the Cats kept pushing it back up.

Offensively, Andrew Carr and Otega Oweh made critical plays down the stretch to seal the win. Kentucky converted just enough free throws to keep the game out of reach. But it has to be better from the line going forward, even making 5 more puts the game in a totally different light.

Looking Ahead

While this wasn’t the polished performance fans hoped for, it’s clear the Wildcats can win even when they’re not at their best.

That grit could prove vital as the season progresses. For now, Big Blue Nation can celebrate another double-digit win and look forward to the team finding more consistency.