Written by: Ainsley Saurers.
No.17 Kentucky men’s basketball got its revenge on Vanderbilt beating the Commodores in
Rupp arena on Wednesday, 82-61.
Looking to win against the ‘Dores after losing to them in Nashville, the Cats took the court with
the starting line up of Koby Brea, Travis Perry, Otega Oweh, Amari Williams, and returning
starter, Andrew Carr.
Kentucky made quick to put some points on the board and gain the early lead thanks to a three
from Brea. Carr made use of his return, hooking a layup before Vandy went on to score the next
five points of the game to tie it quickly. The Cats took the lead back from a free throw and layup
by Oweh. Oweh didn’t stop there, making two more free throws accompanied by a pair of free
throws by Williams to give a 12-7 lead to the Cats.
Collin Chandler entered the court answering a three from Vandy to extend the Cats lead, 15-10.
Vandy cut the deficit to get within two scoring three more points, but Brea drained a three putting
Kentucky further, 18-13. Ansley Almonor, another fresh face on the court tonight, answered a
Vandy basket with a three-pointer, bringing the score to 21-15.
The Dores went on a 6-2 run, but Williams halted it with two free throws and Oweh assisted with
an elbow jumper to grow the Cats lead, 27-21. After the teams traded some threes, the ‘Dores
took the lead for the first time scoring the next seven points, 31-30.
Kentucky didn’t let the glory last, thanks to a layup from Oweh and a pair of free throws from
Chandler, the Cats were back in the lead 34-31. Vandy took it right back scoring the next four
points, 35-34. The Cats were not done yet, a pair of free throws from Oweh and a basket from
Williams gave the lead back to the Cats, briefly, before Vandy tied it up.
Williams lept for the rim and slammed a dunk followed by a free throw to nudge the Cats into the
lead. Vandy managed one basket right at the buzzer, but it was not enough to take the lead
back.
Kentucky got quick momentum to kick off the second half going on to score the next six points
thanks to baskets from Carr, Oweh, and Williams. Williams scored a pair of buckets to answer a
Vandy scoring the next four points bringing the score to 51-44. Carr sank another basket and
then capped off a 9-0 run with a three.
The ‘Dores scored again and Brea hit another three giving Kentucky the 59-46 advantage. The
‘Dores went on a brief streak scoring the next three points, but Oweh landed a three and a
layup. Carr’s hands found the rim dunking the ball to extend the Cats advantage 66-49.
The ‘Dores fought and scored the next four points, but Travis Perry drained a three and Williams
hooked a layup putting the game away from Kentucky. Kentucky did not stop drilling until the
final buzzer.
Kentucky will be on the road this weekend traveling to Alabama to face the No.4 Crimson Tide
and, hopefully, have another revenge story to tell. Tip off will be at 6 p.m. ET.
