Kentucky Wildcats emerged victorious in an 81-66 game against Penn Quakers in Philadelphia. The homecoming game for D.J. Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw saw Bradshaw deliver a standout performance with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 29 minutes, marking his first double-double. Rob Dillingham also played a significant role in the win. Despite a strong shooting performance from Penn in the second half and a 6-0 run, Kentucky maintained its lead, bolstered by a 16-2 run. The Wildcats now stand at 7-2 while Penn fell to 6-5. Kentucky's next game is against North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic.
Feels like Calipari learned a lot about this Kentucky team today. It’s becoming clear which players should be playing the bulk of the minutes. Also, Aaron Bradshaw changes everything.
Aaron Bradshaw, in 2nd game and homecoming of sorts, leads Kentucky basketball past Penn https://t.co/UidXsQOTPG via @courierjournal
That’s a really solid win for Kentucky and huge to get that many minutes (29) and that kind of production (17, 11, 3 blocks) out of Aaron Bradshaw in just his second college game. Integrated him into the team much better today, too. https://t.co/yDjii9vlL8
FINAL | Very solid win for Kentucky, 81-66 over Penn. Wildcats gave up a couple of runs from Penn, but never really lost their poise. Aaron Bradshaw with his first double double (of likely many), 17 points, 11 rebounds. Dillingham with a late 3 to match that 17. More stats below.… https://t.co/x55Pz9tjNA
Kentucky with a nice bounce back win today Gotta say: Ive said since the Kansas game, this has the chance to be the best UK team since 2016-2017. That said, a healthy Aaron Bradshaw adds an entirely new dimension: Active, rim protector. EXACTLY what this team was missing 😤😤
Now on @njdotcom Former Camden High stars Aaron Bradshaw, D.J. Wagner lead Kentucky to win in Philly homecoming https://t.co/eGXQPW6lae @KentuckyMBB
Looks like John Calipari is done easing in Aaron Bradshaw -- 29 minutes, 17 points, 11 rebounds (five on the offensive end) and three blocks in his second game back from injury. Kentucky has missed him.
Not a bad outing for Aaron Bradshaw, huh? He had 17 points and 11 rebounds; tied for game-high point total while rebound figure led all players Saturday.
Kentucky with a nice bounce back win today Gotta say: Ive said since the Kansas game, this has the chance to be the best UK team since 2015-2016. That said, a healthy Aaron Bradshaw adds an entirely new dimension: Active, rim protector. EXACTLY what this team was missing 😤
Final: Kentucky 81, Penn 66 Final box: https://t.co/65dMPtUuZf
Kentucky gets the W. Besides that, the other big outcome: Aaron Bradshaw 16 points, 11 boards and three blocks.
FINAL: Kentucky 81, Penn 66. Wildcats improve to 7-2 while Quakers fall to 6-5. Kentucky faces North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic next week in Atlanta. Tip off is slated for 5:30 p.m. at State Farm Arena and will air nationally on CBS.
Kentucky's Aaron Bradshaw now with a double/double -- 16 points, 11 rebounds. #BBN #ukbasketball
There's the first double-double of Aaron Bradshaw's Kentucky career. 14 points and 10 rebounds along with 3 blocks and 1 steal. He's a team-best +15.
Nice homecoming for Aaron Bradshaw. 2nd game back, and he's working on a double-double. Has 14 and 9 with 730 to play. Like his odds of getting there.
Total Kentucky effort play: Bradshaw with the block. Edwards with the save. Reeves drains the three. Felt like a dagger shot. Kentucky up 70-57.
When Kentucky is patient and plays off the pass instead of getting preoccupied with dribble-driving it is really tough offensively. Penn heating up from 3 though to hang in there.
Penn shooting 76 percent this half, 66 percent from the arc. Cutting is leaving Kentucky with a little whiplash. Every time Cats appear on verge of pulling away, Quakers answer.
Aaron Bradshaw sinks his first-ever 3-point attempt as a collegian and holds the finish. Kentucky leads 54-49 with 12:35 to play.
Quakers shooting 6 for 7 this half. Hit 3 of 4 threes (told ya). Down 1. It's a Kentucky home game and a Kentucky crowd, but pressure is on the Cats entirely.
.@PennMBB is hanging around down 47-46 to @KentuckyMBB https://t.co/7JAqBqAwUx
Kentucky up 10 at the half in Philly, though Penn finished the half on a 6-0 run. Good half for Bradshaw, Kentucky executing well on the defensive end, with the exception of 4-5 trips. https://t.co/ReCAf7LIwj
Wobbly finish, giving up the last six points of the half, but Kentucky leads Penn 39-29 at the break. https://t.co/VkcRPFniMM
Halftime: Kentucky 39, Penn 29 First half box: https://t.co/uhR8VsF88F
Per KenPom: Penn is 40th best 3-point shooting team in the country. Quakers 2 for 12 for the half. And down only 10 to Kentucky. Steve Donahue can't hate that.
Kentucky on a 16-2 run to take a commanding lead against Penn late first half. Getting back to itself. Aaron Bradshaw looking every bit like the former top-10 recruit: 9 points, 7 boards, 2 blocks, a steal in 13 minutes. He’s legit.
Penn's missed its last six shots - some at the rim, and some open threes. Kentucky use the opportunity to push to a 9-point edge. Quakers need to be careful this doesn't get out of hand before the break.
Kentucky stretches lead over Penn to 30-21 and Quakers want time with 3:44 left. Watching Calipari's body language during some of Dillingham's drives/shots is quite entertaining. #BBN #ukbasketball
Penn and its zone are giving Kentucky some trouble, but man, you couldn’t ask for a better second game from 7-footer Aaron Bradshaw: 7 points, 6 rebounds (3 offensive), 2 blocks and a steal in 9 minutes. That’ll do.
Kentucky's a different team with Aaron Bradshaw. #BB #ukbasketball
Penn 7-of-18 from the floor (38.9 percent) as Kentucky leads 23-17 with 7:50 left in 1H here at Wells Fargo Center. #BBN #ukbasketball
You never know what you're going to get with Rob Dillingham. Forced a 3. Missed. Calipari gets Antonio Reeves up off bench. Before Reeves takes two steps, Dillingham makes a steal, then scores. Cal tells Reeves to sit back down. Kentucky 16, Penn 12 with 10:56 left in 1H.
Aaron Bradshaw and immediately lays it in the basket for two points. Kentucky extends its lead to 9-6.
Kentucky 7, Penn 5 at the 1H 15:58 TV time. Cats are 3-of-4 from the floor. Made only three-point attempt. Reeves. #BBN #ukbasketball
Kentucky 7, Penn t at the 1H 15:58 TV time. Cats are 3-of-4 from the floor. Made only three-point attempt. Reeves. #BBN #ukbasketball
First timeout comes at the 15:58 mark of the first half. Kentucky up 7-5 on Penn. UK is 3 of 4 from the field while Penn is only 2 for 7.
Antonio Reeves with 20 straight games with a made 3-pointer. Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard at the scorer's table. UK leads Penn, 7-5, with 16:33 to go until half.
Homecoming game for a lot of the @KentuckyMBB Cats in Philly https://t.co/K4GPnDo6Cb
Live updates: Kentucky Wildcats basketball vs. Penn Quakers in Philadelphia https://t.co/CUfpf7vSeF
D.J. Wagner is back for Kentucky. The star freshman guard will play and start for the Cats today in his homecoming game in Philadelphia against Penn ⬇️ https://t.co/ztvWrIaas7
At Wells Fargo Center for Kentucky-Penn basketball at noon. #BBN #ukbasketball https://t.co/ykM9Z6amUh
Home game for @CollegeGameDay. https://t.co/yl1gGmRYML