rupp arena

With a record of 4-1 this season, the only setback for Kentucky so far was a close loss to top-ranked Kansas in Chicago. One notable aspect of their game this season has been their proficiency in three-point shooting. In their last three games, the Wildcats have made double-digit threes. According to forward Justin Edwards, head coach John Calipari encourages the team to shoot open shots. Edwards stated, “He’s on us about shooting open shots and making them… He says if you’re open, shoot it or I’ll take you out.”

Kentucky got off to a blistering start in the match, dominating the first two sets and winning them 25-12 and 25-15 respectively. However, Missouri fought back and managed to win the third set 25-18, pushing the match to four sets. In the fourth set, the Wildcats found their rhythm again and eventually won 25-21, with DeLeye delivering the winning kill.

The Wildcats enter this contest on a high note after a dominant performance against Stonehill, where they cruised to a 101-67 victory. A standout player for Kentucky in that game was freshman sensation Reed Sheppard. The London native was on fire, making nine out of ten shots from the field, including an impressive seven out of eight from beyond the arc. Sheppard finished the game with a game-high 25 points, along with seven assists, three steals, three rebounds, and two blocked shots.

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.

In an impressive display of offensive firepower, the No. 17/16 Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Stonehill Ravens with a commanding final score of 101-67. The Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center was filled with excitement as the Wildcats improved their season record to 3-1.

Led by Emma Grome, who tallied 55 assists, Kentucky’s balanced attack proved too much for Texas A&M. Freshman Brooklyn DeLeye led the way with 18 kills, followed by Elise Goetzinger with 13, Erin Lamb with 12, and Azhani Tealer with 12. The Wildcats attacked at an impressive .360 clip, while holding Texas A&M to just .211.

The Wildcats came out with intensity, comfortably winning the opening set 25-13. They maintained a remarkable hitting percentage of .593 and a 71 percent sideout conversion rate. After falling behind early in the second set, Kentucky fought back to level the score at 19-19, taking control and closing out the set 25-23. In the third set, they never trailed, securing a 25-20 win to seal the sweep.

Leading the way for Kentucky was Ajae Petty, who dominated the court with 19 points and nine rebounds. Coming off the bench, Eniya Russell had an impactful performance, contributing 14 points and grabbing nine rebounds of her own. Maddie Scherr displayed her versatility with 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists.

Kentucky had a strong defensive performance, limiting TAMC to just 61 points. Head coach John Calipari praised the team’s defensive efforts, stating, “We did a great job of shutting down their offense and staying disciplined on defense.”

Jenkins, Tyler, and Miles made their first career starts in the ETSU game, showcasing their potential and ability to make an impact early in the season. The Wildcats demonstrated resilience and determination as they overcame a two-point halftime deficit and battled their way to victory. This marked the first time since their historic win against Alabama in the 2023 SEC Tournament that the Cats secured a win after trailing at halftime.