No. 12 Kentucky throttles No. 5 Kansas in Big 12/SEC Challenge

When No. 5 Kansas and No. 12 Kentucky tipped off Saturday, it marked the start of what was expected to a battle between two of the game's biggest powerhouse programs.

By the end of the game, it looked more like one powerhouse against an early season cupcake.

The Wildcats walloped the Jayhawks by 18 points, walking out of Allen Fieldhouse with a 80-62 win. Kentucky led nearly the entire game, never trailing by more than a three-point deficit in the early minutes.

Jalen Wilson made the opening bucket of the game for Kansas on a three, and after a Sahvir Wheeler layup the next time down, Christian Braun threw down a dunk to make it 5-2. It was all Kentucky from that point on however, as a couple quick buckets put the Wildcats up 6-5 and they never surrendered the lead the rest of the way.

Kentucky was fueled by Keion Brooks Jr., who chipped in a career-high 27 points on 9-for-16 shooting and 9-for-10 from the free throw line. Oscar Tshiebwe also had a stellar night, pouring in 17 points while piling up 14 rebounds.

Part of Kansas' struggles can be attributed to Kentucky's ability to shut down star guard Ochai Agbaji, who finished with 13 points on 4-for-14 from the field. Agbaji, a Wooden Award contender, had scored 13 or fewer points only twice before Saturday.

Since the game was part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge, neither team gains or suffers in its conference standings. Kentucky improves to 17-4 on the season while Kansas slides to 17-3.