Kentucky Comes Out Firing in Fayetteville, Sets Tone Early Against Arkansas
Bud Walton Arena was rocking, but it was Kentucky that brought the early fireworks. The Wildcats opened the game with a near-perfect offensive stretch, hitting 10 of their first 11 shots to jump out to a 26-13 lead just eight minutes in.
That’s 91 percent from the field to start - the kind of efficiency that turns hostile road environments into quiet theaters. For a team that’s struggled with slow starts at times this season, this one flipped the script in a big way.
By halftime, Kentucky cooled off from that blistering pace, but still held a solid edge where it mattered. The Wildcats shot 48.6 percent from the floor and knocked down 45.5 percent of their threes, while Arkansas struggled to find rhythm from deep, hitting just one triple and shooting 13 percent from beyond the arc.
That alone gave Kentucky a 12-point swing from long range. Add in a plus-five edge on the boards, and you’ve got the makings of a well-rounded first half on the road.
Otega Oweh led the charge with 10 points, setting the tone with aggressive drives and confident finishes. Denzel Aberdeen and Collin Chandler each chipped in eight, giving Kentucky a balanced scoring attack that kept Arkansas guessing.
Andrija Jelavic added five, while Brandon Garrison contributed four points of his own. Then there’s Trent Noah - just three points, but a team-high five rebounds.
He’s doing the dirty work, and it’s showing up in the box score and on the floor.
On the Arkansas side, Trevon Brazile and Billy Richmond each tallied nine points, doing what they could to keep the Hogs in it. Darius Acuff added five, but it was a tough half for the talented guard - just 2-of-10 from the field.
Kentucky’s defense deserves some credit there. Acuff’s a guy who can heat up in a hurry, but so far, the Wildcats have kept him in check.
That’s a win in itself.
Beyond the numbers, this one’s got some bite. Oweh and Richmond got into it late in the half, earning double-technicals after a brief altercation that brought both benches to their feet.
The tension’s been building, and don’t be surprised if this thing gets even more physical in the second half. These two programs have history, and it’s clear there’s no love lost.
Kentucky’s put itself in position - now it’s about finishing the job. The Wildcats have 20 minutes to close out a statement win on the road.
They’ve weathered the crowd, won the hustle plays, and found their rhythm offensively. If they can keep Acuff quiet and maintain their edge from deep, they’ll like their chances.
Second half coming up - buckle in. This one’s not done yet.