The Kentucky Wildcats secured a hard-fought 78-67 victory over Colgate in a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, extending their winning streak in non-conference play. The game, held at Rupp Arena, saw a strong performance from the Wildcats, who showcased their offensive depth and defensive resilience.
Kentucky came out strong from the tip-off, with freshman guard DJ Wagner leading the charge. Wagner scored a team-high 21 points, hitting crucial shots throughout the game, including a couple of three-pointers that helped the Wildcats build an early lead. Oscar Tshiebwe, the reigning National Player of the Year, contributed a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, proving once again why he remains a dominant force in the paint.
Colgate, known for its sharpshooting ability, kept the game competitive with a strong showing from their standout guard, Oliver Lynch-Daniels, who led all scorers with 23 points. Despite a valiant effort, the Raiders struggled to keep pace with Kentucky’s physicality and depth, particularly in the second half, when the Wildcats began to pull away.
The Wildcats also benefited from balanced scoring, with Antonio Reeves and Jacob Toppin adding 15 and 12 points, respectively. Kentucky’s defense was also critical, as they stifled Colgate’s perimeter shooting in the second half, limiting the Raiders to just 30% shooting from beyond the arc after an impressive first half.
Head coach John Calipari praised his team’s effort, particularly their response to Colgate’s shooting barrage early in the game. “We showed a lot of poise and toughness,” said Calipari. “We’re learning and getting better with every game.”
With this win, Kentucky improves to 7-1 on the season and continues to build momentum ahead of tougher SEC matchups. Colgate, meanwhile, drops to 6-2 but will look to rebound in their upcoming games.
