Kentucky out-rebounds A&M 40-30 to Lead to the SEC Win
LEXINGTON – January 14, 2025 – Michael Willis
Kentucky defeated the second top 25 team in a row tonight when the Cats toppled Texas A&M 81-69 in a packed Rupp Arena. It was not a pretty win by any means, but the win makes Kentucky 14-3 overall and 3-1 in SEC play.
The first half started slow for both teams, but the Cats maintained a small lead over the Aggies despite making only 3 of their first 10 shot attempts. Texas A&M shot only 2 field goals that were not three-point attempts for the first 8.5 minutes of the game, but took the lead due to the bad three-point shooting by Kentucky. The Cats opened the game 1-11 from behind the arc. The Wildcat’s defense was the only thing that kept them in the game. Jaxson Robinson, who made 4 of the Wildcat’s 5 three-pointers, made a three to end the half and give Kentucky a 35-32 lead at the half.
The Cats looked better to start the second half and scored the first eight points pushing the lead to 11. The Wildcats played physical the rest of the game and even out-rebounded the Aggies 20 to 11 in the second half. After not scoring in the first half Otega Oweh scored 11 points in the second half including a dunk that brought the Rupp Arena crowd to their feet.
The twelve-point victory may not have occurred if Jaxson Robinson didn’t score 15 first half points when the Wildcats could not find any other offense. Robinson ended the game with 22 points and 8 rebounds. It was the second straight game the Robinson led the Cats in scoring.
Kentucky ended the night winning the rebounding battle grabbing 40 rebounds while Texas A&M ended with 30 rebounds. Amari Williams led the Wildcats with 12 and scored 8 points.
Tonight’s win shows that the Wildcats can win games when the shots are not falling by playing defense and controlling the rebounds. A&M were hot in the first half making 7 of 18 three-point attempts, but did not make a three-pointer in the second half. The Aggies ended the game 7-30 (23.3%) from beyond the arc.
Kentucky’s next game is against Alabama who lost earlier tonight and will be looking to get back on track against the Wildcats. The game will be at noon on Saturday at Rupp Arena.
