In a display of offensive prowess, the Kentucky Wildcats put on a scoring clinic in their game against Marshall on Friday night. They racked up an astonishing 69 points in the first half alone, setting a new record for the most points scored by any team in a half at Rupp Arena. This also marks the fourth-highest first half total in the history of Kentucky basketball. The Cats continued to dominate throughout the game, finishing with a resounding 118-82 victory, the highest point total ever achieved by a team coached by John Calipari.
Leading the charge for Kentucky was D.J. Wagner, who notched an impressive 28 points. Antonio Reeves contributed 23 points for the Cats, while Tre Mitchell added 18. Rob Dillingham had a stellar night, connecting on seven of his eight shots to finish with 16 points. Reed Sheppard scored 12 points, Justin Edwards contributed 10, and all four players had double-digit points by halftime.
Coach Calipari expressed his satisfaction with his team’s offensive performance, emphasizing the role of teamwork and creating opportunities for shooters. “We played good. It was based on assists, shots made,” Calipari commented. “We’re creating great opportunities for guys who can shoot. If you have a bunch of guys who can shoot like this, you play this way.”
One noteworthy aspect of Kentucky’s offensive success this season has been the impact of their freshman guards coming off the bench. Both Dillingham and Sheppard have been instrumental in making things happen for the team. Against Marshall, Dillingham orchestrated five assists on the team’s first 11 field goals and boasted a perfect shooting record, making his first seven shots en route to his 16-point contribution. He also achieved a career-high eight assists in the game. Sheppard, a native of London, Kentucky, showcased his versatility yet again, tallying 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
With this win, the Wildcats have now scored 81 or more points in each of their first six games, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since the 1970-71 season. The Cats will be looking to carry this offensive momentum into their upcoming game against No. 10-ranked Miami on Tuesday night at Rupp Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
