In a display of offensive dominance, the Kentucky Wildcats showcased their scoring prowess in a commanding win over Stonehill on Friday night. With an average of 83.7 points per game entering the matchup, the Cats were already a force to be reckoned with. However, they took it to another level as they unleashed a barrage of three-pointers to secure a resounding 101-67 victory at Rupp Arena.
Kentucky stunned their opponents with their precision from behind the arc, converting a remarkable 17 of 32 attempts, an impressive 53.1 percent success rate. This marked a historic achievement for a John Calipari-coached team, as it represented the most three-pointers made in his tenure at Kentucky. Moreover, it was the most threes the Cats had registered in almost three decades. Their overall shooting percentage was equally remarkable, as they made an incredible 63.9 percent of their field goals, sinking 39 of 61 attempts.
Freshman guard Reed Sheppard showcased his shooting prowess throughout the game, exhibiting a red-hot hand. He connected on an impressive nine of 10 field goals, with an astonishing seven of eight coming from behind the arc. Sheppard displayed his scoring ability in spectacular fashion, recording a career-high of 25 points. In addition to his scoring prowess, the London native also contributed significantly in other aspects of the game, tallying seven assists, four rebounds, three steals, and two blocked shots.
While Sheppard undoubtedly stole the show, fellow freshman Rob Dillingham also made a significant impact, contributing 20 points, including three three-pointers. Coach Calipari expressed his satisfaction with the performances of both Sheppard and Dillingham, acknowledging their contributions to the team’s success. He remarked, “Reed was tremendous. So was Rob. A lot of good stuff.”
Calipari was also impressed with how his team responded to their loss against Kansas earlier in the week. He expressed his pride in their ability to bounce back and deliver a dominant performance, stating, “To come off that game in Chicago, the enormity of the game and then bounce back and play this kind of game, I was really proud of the guys.”
The Wildcats put on a scintillating offensive display right from the start, connecting on six of their first seven three-point attempts and eight of their first ten field goals. By halftime, three players had already reached double figures in scoring, with Tre Mitchell leading the way with 13 points, closely followed by Antonio Reeves and Sheppard, who both had 12 points. The Cats finished the first half with an astonishing shooting percentage of 66.7 percent, including a commendable 62.5 percent from behind the arc. As a result, they entered the break with a comfortable 58-37 lead.
The second half began with a different narrative as Kentucky initially struggled to find their rhythm. They missed their first three shots and committed three turnovers, allowing Stonehill to embark on a 9-0 run and reduce the deficit to 58-46. However, Kentucky quickly regained their composure, finding their groove and stretching their lead to as many as 37 points.
Up next, Kentucky will take on Saint Joseph’s on Monday at Rupp Arena. With the Cats riding high on their offensive prowess, fans can expect another exhilarating display of basketball. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. ET and can be viewed on the SEC Network.
