Lexington, KY — The Kentucky Wildcats maintained their perfect record with an 87-68 victory over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Rupp Arena on Tuesday night. This match marked only the fifth regular-season encounter between the two teams. With this win, the No. 8-ranked Wildcats improved to 6-0 for the season.
Though Kentucky entered the game as 24.5-point favorites, they faced a competitive challenge from Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers, led by coach Hank Plona in his inaugural season, narrowed the Wildcats’ lead to as little as six points during the second half. However, Kentucky maintained control by staying ahead by double digits in the closing minutes.
Andrew Carr was a standout player for Kentucky, contributing a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. He was supported by Otega Oweh, also scoring 18 points, and Lamont Butler, who added 14 points, along with five rebounds and four assists. On the other side, Julius Thedford led the Hilltoppers with 18 points.
The Wildcats started the game sluggishly, managing only two successful shots out of their first twelve attempts. A 12-2 run late in the first half, however, allowed them to pull ahead, ending that half with a 45-33 lead.
This match was significant as it was only the eighth meeting between these two historic programs, with Kentucky now holding a 6-2 series advantage. It was also the first scheduled meeting since the 2001-02 season, when Western Kentucky recorded an upset victory in the same arena.
After this contest, the Hilltoppers fell to 3-3 on the season, looking to rebound against Marshall on Friday night. Kentucky’s schedule continues with a home game against Georgia State, which is planned for 7 p.m. on Friday. This will be Kentucky’s last home game before a challenging stretch of play, including their first true road game against Clemson and a matchup at No. 3 Gonzaga.
The fans witnessed a hard-fought game as both teams showcased their determination. As the season progresses, the Wildcats aim to build on their success and continue their momentum in upcoming games.
