Amber Aniston • October 29, 2024

Kentucky Dominates Minnesota State 98-67 in Final Exhibition Game

 The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team wrapped up its exhibition season with a commanding 98-67 victory over defending Division II national champion Minnesota State at Rupp Arena. In a game that saw the Wildcats find their rhythm after a slow start, they pulled away from the Mavericks in the second half to secure the win, providing plenty of momentum heading into the regular season.


Jaxson Robinson was the star of the night, pouring in 24 points, including an impressive 8-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc. His performance, alongside contributions from Otega Oweh, Andrew Carr, and Brandon Garrison, proved too much for Minnesota State to handle. The exhibition win sets the stage for Kentucky’s regular season opener against Wright State on November 4.


A Tight First Half Before Kentucky Pulled Ahead

Despite Kentucky’s overwhelming talent, Minnesota State proved to be a competitive opponent in the early stages of the game. The Mavericks, fresh off their Division II national championship, held their own for much of the first half. Kentucky jumped out to a 14-5 lead early, but Minnesota State responded with a 12-4 run to pull within one point at 18-17. Drew Daniel and Malcolm Jones provided key offensive moments for Minnesota State, with Daniel hitting a pair of threes and Jones adding six points off the bench.


For much of the first half, Minnesota State’s defense managed to disrupt Kentucky’s shooting. Kentucky’s three-point shooting struggled early, as they hit only 2-of-15 attempts from beyond the arc to start the game. The Mavericks capitalized on their defensive stops and kept the game within reach.


However, Kentucky’s superior depth and talent eventually took over. The Wildcats closed the first half on a dominant 21-3 run, highlighted by Robinson’s three-point barrage. The Wildcats’ defense also tightened up during this stretch, forcing turnovers and turning them into points. By the time the halftime buzzer sounded, Kentucky had extended its lead to 43-23.


Robinson led all scorers with 15 points in the first half, while Oweh chipped in with seven points and solid defensive work. Minnesota State, meanwhile, shot just 28.1% from the field in the first half and struggled to maintain the momentum they had built early on.


Second Half: Wildcats Dominate

Kentucky came out firing to start the second half, quickly quashing any hopes Minnesota State had of making a comeback. The Wildcats opened with a 10-2 run, pushing their lead to 53-26 and essentially putting the game out of reach. From there, it was all Kentucky, as they extended their lead to as much as 40 points midway through the second half.


Jaxson Robinson continued his hot shooting in the second half, connecting on five more three-pointers to finish with 24 points. His ability to stretch the floor and knock down long-range shots opened up space for his teammates to operate. Oweh and Carr also stepped up in the second half, with Carr finishing the game with 14 points and Oweh adding 15 points, six assists, and three steals.


The Mavericks, to their credit, did not fold despite the growing deficit. Freshman Carson Schweim and senior Harrison Braudis were bright spots for Minnesota State, both finishing with 13 points. The Mavericks shot 50% from the field in the second half, an improvement from their first-half struggles, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.


Kentucky’s defense continued to make life difficult for Minnesota State, forcing a total of 15 steals and holding the Mavericks to 39.1% shooting from the field for the game. The Wildcats also did a better job taking care of the ball in the second half, committing only one turnover after halftime.


Standout Performances

Robinson’s 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting from three-point range were the highlight of the night. His sharpshooting was the spark that turned the game in Kentucky’s favor, and he also contributed six rebounds and three assists. Robinson’s ability to knock down threes with such consistency will be a major weapon for Kentucky as they head into the regular season.


Oweh was another key contributor, finishing with 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field. His playmaking ability was on full display, as he added six assists to his stat line. Oweh also made his presence felt on defense, collecting three steals and helping to disrupt Minnesota State’s offensive rhythm.


Andrew Carr and Brandon Garrison provided strong support for the Wildcats. Carr’s 14 points came on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting, while Garrison added 12 points, four rebounds, and a block. Garrison’s physicality in the paint and his defensive presence helped Kentucky maintain control throughout the game.


Defensive Prowess

Kentucky’s defense was a major factor in the victory. The Wildcats’ aggressive play on defense forced Minnesota State into 16 turnovers, many of which led to transition points on the other end. Kentucky’s 15 steals were a testament to their active hands and defensive awareness, with players like Oweh and Garrison leading the charge.


The Wildcats also dominated the rebounding battle, pulling down 39 boards compared to Minnesota State’s 37. Although the margin was slim, Kentucky’s ability to secure key rebounds and prevent second-chance opportunities for the Mavericks helped them maintain their large lead.


Minnesota State, to their credit, fought hard on the boards and managed to keep the rebounding battle close. However, their inability to consistently score against Kentucky’s defense ultimately doomed their chances of staying competitive in the second half.


Looking Ahead

With their exhibition season now behind them, Kentucky is set to begin the regular season with a home opener against Wright State on November 4 at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats have shown flashes of brilliance during their exhibition games, but they will need to continue fine-tuning their game as they prepare for tougher competition in the weeks ahead.


The exhibition games have provided valuable experience for Kentucky’s young roster, and players like Robinson, Oweh, and Garrison have already shown that they can play key roles in the team’s success. As the regular season begins, Kentucky will be looking to build on these performances and establish themselves as one of the top teams in college basketball.



With a deep and talented roster, Kentucky is poised to make a run at the SEC title and, potentially, a deep postseason run in March. Their performance against Minnesota State shows that they have the firepower and defensive intensity to compete at the highest level, and fans can expect even bigger things from this squad as the season progresses.

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