BOX SCORE: Defense leads the way in Kentucky's win over Texas A&M

Offense has led the way for Kentucky basketball all season. Mark Pope has put together one of the best offenses in college basketball, but we all know that the defense needs to improve as the Wildcats entered Tuesday ranking sub-80 in adjusted defensive efficiency.

In the 12-point home victory over ranked Texas A&M, Kentucky’s defense was the story and allowed the offense to overcome a slow perimeter shooting start at Rupp Arena.

Texas A&M was playing short-handed without star guard Wade Taylor IV, but the Aggies posted 1.11 points per possession against Alabama and 1.25 points per possession against Oklahoma without their shot volume leader. Buzz Williams‘ team is great at creating second chances and getting to the free throw line.

The Aggies struggled to get anything going in the 81-69 Kentucky win.

A&M finished the game posting 0.97 points per possession on .390/.233/.640 shooting splits. The Aggies did attempt 25 free throws, but only generated 11 offensive rebounds (30.5% offensive rebound rate) for 11 second chance points. Kentucky efficiently ended possessions with defensive rebounds against the top offensive rebounding team in college basketball and generated 12 turnovers (16.9% turnover rate) that turned into 18 points on the other end.

Zhuric Phelps needed 19 field goal attempts to get to 21 points and A&M missed all 12 three-point attempts after the halftime break after pouring in seven makes in the first half.

Kentucky saw a big second half on offense with 40 points on 60.9 percent shooting to extend the lead. The Cats were led by Jaxson Robinson (22 points on 17 field goal attempts) and got 21 bench points highlighted by a pair of threes from Travis Perry in the second half.

Kentucky handled its business against another ranked team. This time the defense led the way playing against a short-handed offense.

Box Score: Kentucky vs. Texas A&M