FINAL: No. 9 Kentucky steamrolls Jackson State 108-59 as 5 Wildcats score in double-figures

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Kentucky players huddling - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

For the fifth straight game, Kentucky hit at least 10 three-pointers. And for the fifth straight game, Kentucky came out with the win.

On Friday night in Rupp Arena, the No. 9 Wildcats (5-0) had no problem taking down the Jackson State Tigers (0-6), which came into the game as one of the worst statistical teams in the entire country, winning by a final score of 108-59. Kentucky finished with a season-high 17 made triples to cap off a 59 percent overall shooting performance.

Five Kentucky players scored in double-figures, led by a game-high 22 points from Koby Brea, who made five of his eight three-pointers. Otega Oweh wasn’t far behind with 21 points on 8-12 shooting. Jaxson Robinson chipped in 14 points while Lamont Butler added 11 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Ansley Almonor rounded out the double-figure scoring with 10 points.

UK held Jackson State to just 33 percent shooting and a 4-21 clip from long range. The Tigers turned the ball over 17 times while Kentucky dished out 29 assists — one off the Wildcats’ season-high.

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It didn’t take long for this game to go as expected. Jackson State took an early 5-3 lead, but Kentucky responded with nine straight points. The rout was on from there. UK was up to 31 points through the first 11 minutes of action. Not even a thrown shoe by a Jackson State player or a loose wire behind the Wildcats’ backboard could slow down the momentum.

Kentucky would go up by 20 points for the first time at the 8:55 mark of the first half. But Jackson State would keep the ‘Cats from ballooning the advantage to 30 points, settling on a halftime score of 54-30 in favor of the home team. UK fired up 20 first-half three-pointers (making eight) as Oweh led all scorers with 13 points at the intermission.

The second half started strong for Kentucky, which surpassed a 30-point lead in less than four minutes. There were some small moments of sloppy play from the ‘Cats as they began to coast down the stretch, but the outcome was never in doubt. Kentucky went ahead by 40 with seven minutes still on the clock. Travis Perry and Trent Noah, who both hit a three-pointer, would take the floor in the final minutes as the 49-point victory was officially locked up.

Up next: Kentucky will host Western Kentucky on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. EST on ESPNU.