In an impressive season opener, the No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats dominated New Mexico State with a final score of 86-46. Now, the Wildcats are preparing to face Texas A&M-Commerce at Rupp Arena on Friday night. Kentucky showcased their strength in the second half, outscoring their opponents 49-17 and turning what was a close game into a resounding victory in front of their home crowd of 18,438 fans.
The standout performer of the game was freshman Rob Dillingham, who led all scorers with an impressive 17 points. Fellow freshman guard D.J. Wagner also had a solid performance, contributing 13 points. Additionally, freshmen Justin Edwards and Reed Sheppard each scored 12 points, while senior Antonio Reeves added 11 points to the scoreboard.
Reeves, the team’s leading returning scorer, was pleased with the way the freshmen handled their first collegiate regular season game. He commended their ability to adapt to the pace of the game without any signs of nervousness. Reeves highlighted their hunger, toughness, and gritty mentality as factors that contribute to their success on the court.
When asked about the team’s overall performance, Reeves expressed his confidence in the young roster. He stated, “We’ve got a lot of good players. We all look for each other out there.” Reeves believes that having talented teammates allows him to focus on his own role without feeling excessive pressure. He appreciates the ability of his teammates to create opportunities and make plays.
On the opposing side, Texas A&M-Commerce will be playing their third game of the season on Friday night. The Lions suffered losses in their previous two games, falling 78-46 to Texas A&M and 73-46 to Texas Tech. Jerome Brewer leads the Lions in scoring, averaging 12 points per game, and rebounds with seven boards per game. Kalen Williams also contributes to the team’s offense, averaging 11.5 points per game.
The Wildcats’ upcoming matchup against Texas A&M-Commerce is expected to be another opportunity for Kentucky to showcase their prowess on the court. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET and will be aired on SEC Network Plus.
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