Kentucky edges Western Kentucky behind Oweh and Carr's scoring

In Lexington, Kentucky, the No. 8 ranked Wildcats faced off against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on November 26, 2024. The game concluded with Kentucky winning 87-68, marking their sixth consecutive victory of the season. Otega Oweh and Andrew Carr led Kentucky's scoring, each contributing 18 points. Despite their efforts, Kentucky struggled with shooting, making only 40% of their field goals and 27.6% from three-point range. However, their dominance on the boards, where they out-rebounded Western Kentucky 54 to 41, and effective second-chance scoring proved pivotal in their victory. Western Kentucky's performance was a stark contrast, as they managed just 32% shooting from the floor. Despite this, they had moments of competitive play, cutting the deficit to single digits during the game. However, Kentucky pulled away in the second half, showing resilience even when they experienced cold shooting stretches, missing seven consecutive shots at one point. Key contributions also came from Lamont Butler, who added 14 points, while the Hilltoppers’ Julius Thedford and Babacar Faye scored 18 and 16 points, respectively. Kentucky's performance spotlighted both strengths and weaknesses. Although they managed to secure the win, their shooting woes highlighted the need for improvement in upcoming games, especially with their next matchup against Georgia State. The team exhibited toughness in battling through adversity during the game, emphasizing their ability to maintain composure under pressure, which is vital as the season progresses. The defensive efforts, particularly in controlling rebounds and limiting Western Kentucky's second-chance opportunities, were also key to their success. As both teams move forward, Kentucky will look to rectify its shooting inconsistencies, while Western Kentucky aims to rebound in their next game against Marshall. This matchup showcased the competitiveness of college basketball, emphasizing that even ranked teams face challenges and that improvement is always needed throughout the season.