In tune-up for No. 7 Duke, No. 23 Kentucky routs Bucknell

Field Level Media|published: Sat 9th November, 18:33 2024

Nov 9, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Koby Brea (4) passes the ball during the first half against the Bucknell Bison at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

No. 23 Kentucky built a double-digit lead in the first seven minutes and went on to pound visiting Bucknell 100-72 in a nonconference matchup Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Ky.

Koby Brea hit 6-of-8 of his 3-point shots and 7-of-10 overall for 20 points, and Jaxson Robinson added 14 points for Kentucky (2-0), which scored 103 points in its blowout of Wright State on Monday. Amari Williams finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds, five on the offensive glass.

Ian Motta led the Bison (2-1), who have yet to play a home game, with 18 points, including 3-of-5 on 3-pointers. Josh Bascoe netted 15 points, 12 in the first half.

Noah Williamson, who entered as Bucknell's leading scorer at 25.5 points per game, was held to seven points on 3-of-12 shooting.

The Wildcats, who shot 51.4 percent in the second half and 48.1 percent for the game, dominated in paint points (50-28) and rebounding (57-35).

Kentucky led 47-31 at halftime and went ahead by 20 for the first time when Arizona transfer Kerr Kriisa nailed a 3-pointer with 16:03 left in the game.

Bucknell's Jayden Williams scored on a fast break to get the Bison's deficit under 20, but Amari Williams responded with a three-point play for a 22-point lead with 11:23 left, and the margin was at least 20 points the rest of the way.

Andrew Carr scored 11 points for Kentucky and Otega Oweh chipped in 10.

The Wildcats shot 45.2 percent from the floor in the first half and put together bursts of nine, eight, nine and seven consecutive points to build their halftime lead.

Bucknell was within 35-23 after a seven-point run, with Motta scoring five of those points. Kentucky answered with seven straight, including a 3-pointer by Brea.

Robinson led the Wildcats with 11 points at the half while Brea had nine. Bucknell hit just 36.4 percent from the floor before intermission and 39.7 percent for the game.

Kentucky welcomes No. 7 Duke on Tuesday. The Bison play their first home game on Wednesday against Mount St. Mary's.

--Field Level Media