Kentucky Wildcats Paint a Path Past LSU Tigers as Bench Points Tip the First Round

The Kentucky Wildcats moved to 87-82 against the LSU Tigers in Nashville after entering at 0-0, while the Tigers left at 0-0. The Kentucky Wildcats vs LSU Tigers final score settled at 87-82 at Bridgestone Arena on 12:30 PM EDT on SEC Network, and the Wildcats set the tone with 46 first-half points.

First half

The Kentucky Wildcats produced 46 points in the first half while the LSU Tigers countered with 43. Big Blue shot 50 percent from the field in the game and paired it with 40 points in the paint, matching the Tigers at the rim while taking a 3-point edge into halftime. The Wildcats created extra value with 29 bench points and turned it into a 12-point biggest lead, a stretch that also included an 8-point most-unanswered run. Kentucky Wildcats vs LSU Tigers highlights also included Kentucky finishing the game with 15 assists against 5 turnovers for a 3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio as the Tigers posted 11 assists and 9 turnovers.

Second half

The Kentucky Wildcats added 41 second-half points and held off LSU’s 39 as the lead changed 15 times with 4 ties on the stat sheet. The Wildcats stayed even on field goals made at 32, and they separated late with 74 percent at the line on 23 attempts compared to LSU’s 65 percent on 20 attempts. The Tigers leaned on 61 percent shooting on 2-point attempts and scored 14 second-chance points, while the Wildcats limited mistakes to 5 total turnovers and scored 9 points off turnovers. Kentucky Wildcats full-time result was also shaped by Big Blue’s 5 steals and 3 blocks, while LSU finished with 1 steal and 2 blocks.

Key performances

Otega Oweh led the Kentucky Wildcats in the previous game with 23 points and 8 rebounds, and that production fit a team box score built on 33 total rebounds and 22 defensive boards in this one. Brandon Garrison’s prior line of 17 points and 2 blocks aligned with Kentucky’s 40 paint points and 3 team blocks against the Tigers. Denzel Aberdeen’s previous 16 points matched a Kentucky attack that reached 87 on 59 percent true shooting, and post-game thoughts Kentucky Wildcats centered on keeping the ball moving after posting 15 assists.

Next up

The Kentucky Wildcats are scheduled to face the Missouri Tigers at 12:30 PM EDT on 2026-03-12 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, with the broadcast slated for SEC Network. Catch the next one on television, then share this article with other Big Blue fans and keep the recap thread going.