Kentucky Blasts Valparaiso 107-59

Kentucky Wildcats Dominate Valparaiso in High-Scoring Victory

The Kentucky Wildcats (2-0) continued their early-season dominance with a commanding 107-59 victory over the Valparaiso Beacons (1-1) on November 7, 2025, at Rupp Arena. The win served as a final tune-up before the highly anticipated Battle of the Bluegrass showdown against Louisville on November 11.

Key Takeaways from the Game

Despite a slow start from beyond the arc, Kentucky's offensive explosion in the first half set the tone for the rout. The Wildcats shot 64.7% (22-of-34) from the field and 53.8% (7-of-13) from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes, building a 58-26 halftime lead. Valparaiso struggled to find rhythm, shooting just 26.3% (10-of-38) overall and 20% (4-of-20) from three.

"We were a little bit of a bubbling mess, which should happen sometimes. It was everything," said Kentucky coach Mark Pope. "We actually had some good possessions where we just didn't finish them."

Jaland Lowe's Impactful Return

The return of junior guard Jaland Lowe from a shoulder injury was a storyline. Expected to start, Lowe entered the game at the 16:33 mark of the first half and immediately impacted the game, dishing an assist to Denzel Aberdeen for a three-pointer just 20 seconds later. Lowe's presence added much-needed ball-handling and playmaking to a Kentucky team that had struggled early with offensive execution.

Offensive Fireworks and Defensive Dominance

Kentucky's balanced attack featured five players in double figures, led by Denzel Aberdeen with 10 points in the first half alone. The Wildcats' defense stifled Valparaiso, forcing 20 turnovers and limiting the Beacons to just 59 points. Valparaiso's Rakim Chaney led his team with seven points at halftime.

What's Next for Kentucky?

This victory positions Kentucky perfectly for their biggest non-conference test of the season: a road matchup against arch-rival Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center on November 11. The Wildcats, ranked No. 9 in the USA TODAY Sports Men's Basketball Coaches Poll and AP Top 25, will look to carry this momentum into the Battle of the Bluegrass.

The game was streamed exclusively on SEC Network+ with Tom Leach and Jack Givens calling the action on the radio network. Kentucky's next home game is against Eastern Illinois on November 14.