LEXINGTON, Ky. — Otega Oweh and Andrew Carr each contributed 18 points as No. 8 Kentucky secured a victory against Western Kentucky with a score of 87-68 on Tuesday evening.
Oweh hit a crucial 3-point shot with 8:57 left in the game, helping the Wildcats (6-0) regain momentum after starting cold in their shooting. Kentucky struggled to find their rhythm, finishing the game shooting only 40%, hitting 25 of 62 attempts. This performance was a stark contrast to their previous outings against Lipscomb and Jackson State, where they eclipsed 54% shooting. Even their long-range shooting was off, hitting just 8 of 29, and they experienced difficulties at the charity stripe, though they still managed to convert 29 of 42 free-throw attempts.
Lamont Butler added 14 points for Kentucky in the match. On the other hand, Julius Thedford led the Hilltoppers (3-3) with 18 points, while Babacar Faye contributed 16. The Hilltoppers, who had won their last three games, had a tough night shooting, finishing with just 21 of 66 from the field for a mere 32%.
In the early stages, Western Kentucky kept the game close, narrowing the deficit to single digits despite their struggles, which included only managing consecutive baskets three times during the entire game. They were able to offset their shooting issues by finding success at the free-throw line, converting 22 of 29 attempts.
For Kentucky, after previously experiencing several high-scoring games, this match proved to be a struggle offensively, as they encountered more cold spells than hot streaks. Nevertheless, they dominated the boards, controlling rebounds 54-41, which enabled them to garner an advantage in second-chance points (14-7) and outscore Western Kentucky 34-30 in the paint, leading them to win a rather uneven contest.
A crucial moment in the game occurred when Kentucky went on a streak, missing seven consecutive shots in the second half, allowing Western Kentucky to cut the lead to 57-51. However, Oweh’s layup was pivotal in extending the lead by eight points. Following that, the Wildcats managed to convert 6 of 11 shot attempts over the next five and a half minutes, building a 75-57 lead that provided the necessary cushion for victory. Amari Williams had a solid contribution off the bench with eight points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks, including a successful overturned goaltending call after a review.
One notable statistic from the game was the combined shooting struggles from beyond the arc, as both teams only found success on 12 of 55 attempts from three-point range.
Looking ahead, Western Kentucky is set to host Marshall on Saturday, while Kentucky will take on Georgia State at home on Friday night.