On Tuesday night, Kentucky basketball achieved a commanding 97-68 victory over Lipscomb, just a week after a major triumph against then-No. 6 Duke. The Wildcats showcased impressive depth with four players scoring in double digits, all of whom made significant contributions from beyond the arc. Jaxson Robinson led the scoring with 20 points, followed by Lamont Butler with 16, Otega Oweh with 14, and Koby Brea with 12.
This victory over Lipscomb marked a historic milestone, as it was the first time in school history that a Kentucky team made 10 or more three-pointers in each of its first four games of the season. Despite only attempting 25 shots from three-point range, they successfully hit 12.
Let’s highlight a few notable performers from this decisive win.
1. **Jaxson Robinson**
Robinson was the standout player, rebounding from a disappointing one-point performance against Duke the previous week. His success stemmed from maintaining his energy, which contributed to his strong defensive effort against Duke in the second half. Against Lipscomb, he scored 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-6 from three-point range, and also grabbed 7 rebounds in 22 minutes. His positive mindset was evident throughout the game.
2. **Lamont Butler**
Butler excelled, particularly on defense, aggressively pressuring his opponents and snagging a steal right at the start of the game, almost getting another on consecutive plays. Offensively, he was effective as well, scoring 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting and going 3-of-3 from three. It’s clear he will take advantage of any opportunity to shoot if defenders allow it, as he did against Lipscomb.
3. **Koby Brea**
Brea had an impressive outing, going a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, totaling 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting overall. He has made noticeable improvements on defense since the start of the season, recording 7 rebounds and responding well to coach Pope’s emphasis on enhancing his rebounding skills. It’s promising to see how much he can grow defensively while being a potent offensive threat.
Kentucky has demonstrated a strong ability to distribute scoring among its players, showing no signs of that trend diminishing. This characteristic is a key aspect of the team’s identity, as any player is capable of stepping up on any given night.
