UK vs. Boise State Game Notes

Team Records, Notes

With the win, Kentucky moves to 8-2 on the year, including a 7-0 start at Rupp Arena. The loss was Boise State’s first of the season, moving the Bronco’s record to 8-1. Boise State is 2-1 away from Taco Bell Arena. 

Kentucky notched its 501st win in Rupp Arena. Kentucky has a 501-62 record (.890) in its 38 seasons in the facility.

This was the first meeting between the two schools in men’s basketball with Kentucky now leading the all-time series 1-0. The Wildcats improve their record to 22-2 against teams comprising the current alignment of the Mountain West Conference. Boise State was the third first-time opponent for Kentucky this season. 

Tonight’s game marked the third of five matchups in the month of December for UK that features a team that is either receiving votes or ranked in the top 25 in the Associated Press poll.

Kentucky will return to the hardwood Saturday, Dec. 14 at No. 18/21 North Carolina. Tipoff is set 5:15 p.m. ET on ESPN. 

Tonight’s attendance was 21,565.

First-Half Facts

Kentucky started with the lineup of sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein and freshmen Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Julius Randle and James Young. That lineup is 4-2 on the year. UK has used that starting five in each of its last three games.

Alex Poythress, Dakari Johnson and Dominique Hawkins were the first subs in the game. It marked the fourth time Poythress has been the first player in the game off the bench this season and the second for Johnson and Hawkins. 

Kentucky held an 8-5 lead at the under 16-minute media timeout after a 3 by James Young. The two teams traded baskets coming out of the timeout to give UK a 5-point lead at 10-5 and 12-7. 

With 13:20 to go in the first half, Boise State earned its first lead the game after a layup by Anthony Drmic put the Broncos on top 14-13. UK regained the lead with a 9-0 run over the next two and a half minutes to take a 22-14 lead. Boise answered but so did the Wildcats, who led 27-20 at the under 8-minute media timeout. 

Kentucky continued to increase its lead for the remainder of the half, leading 41-31 at intermission. UK is 7-1 this season when leading at halftime.

UK has now made a 3-pointer in 870 consecutive games when James Young sunk a 3 at the 16:42 mark in the first half.

Kentucky has scored 40 or more points in the first half five times this season, holding a 5-0 record in those games. 

This was the fourth time this season UK has held a double-digit lead at halftime, improving to 4-0 this season. 

Second-Half Story   

Kentucky scored the first four points of the second half to grab a 14-point lead, its largest of the game at the time at 45-31. 

The Wildcats went on a 14-2 run later in the second half to grab complete control of the game with a 62-43 lead with 8:33 to go in the game. The 19-point lead was the largest of the game for UK.

Boise State cut the UK lead to 11 at 62-51 with 6:32 to play, but the Wildcats would extend the lead and hang on for the 70-55 win. 

Team Notes
Boise State’s 55 points is the lowest they have scored in a game this season. The previous season low for the Broncos was 69 against Utah.

Kentucky limited Boise State to 31.9% from the field, marking its lowest field goal percentage in a game this season. 

The Wildcats outrebounded the Broncos 43-27, which was the lowest rebounding output for the Broncos this season.

One of the main reasons for Kentucky’s strong defensive showing was its ability not to foul, committing only 12 fouls in the game, which is a season low. 

Individual Notes

Aaron Harrison scored 13 points to go along with steals.

The guard played 38 minutes, which ties a season high. He also played 38 minutes vs. Providence. 

Andrew Harrison had 13 points as well to going 4-of-7 from the field and 5-of-7 from the FT line. He has now scored double-digit points in five games.

Julius Randle posted 17 points and 11 rebounds for his eighth double-double on the year.
This was his 10th game scoring in double figures. He went 7-of-11 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line. 

James Young lead Kentucky in scoring with 21 points with nine rebounds.
Has knocked down multiple 3-pointers in six games this season, including three or more five times. Young has at least one 3 in nine of UK’s 10 games this season.
Had a great first half with 17 points, including four 3s. The 17 first-half points were the second most in an opening half for any UK player this season. Aaron Harrison had 19 first-half points vs. Robert Morris. 

This is his third time to lead Kentucky in scoring.  Young’s four 3s are tied for second most this season. He now has hit four or more 3s in back-to-back games. 

Willie Cauley-Stein ended the game with nine blocks, seven rebounds and six points.
Was key defensively for Kentucky in the first half with five blocks and five rebounds, adding in six points. Ended the game with nine blocks, tying a career-best mark. He also had nine blocks against Providence.