By the Numbers: UK 80, South Carolina 57

After each Kentucky basketball game Cats Illustrated publisher Justin Rowland digs into some of the more interesting or telling numbers from the contest.

Here’s a deeper dive into some of those stats from UK’s 80-57 win against South Carolina on Saturday.

47 … Second half points for Kentucky. That was a strong output against a solid defense that had disrupted the Cats so much in the first half. After halftime the Cats shot 17/30 (56.7%) from the floor and they got to the free throw line. Otega Oweh scored 15 points in the second half to lead the Cats.

32.8% … South Carolina’s field goal percentage for the game. They shot close to 50% in the first half, but that first half was ugly. South Carolina had only seven assists on 19 made field goals.

+32 … That’s Amari Williams’ +/- score. The Wildcats were 32 points better than South Carolina in Williams’ 21 minutes. That stat can never be viewed in isolation but taken over a period of time it can tell you some things. Williams had 10 points (4/9 FG), six rebounds, two assists, and two turnovers.

31:35 … The amount of game time that elapsed while Kentucky was leading the game. Going into this one the Cats had gone 65 minutes without having a lead.

15 … Points for Brandon Garrison on 7/8 shooting form the floor. He knocked down a three-pointer, blocked a couple of shots, and didn’t turn it over. He gave Kentucky 20 strong minutes today and you saw the best that he offers.

14 … Points for South Carolina’s Thomas Murray-Boyles, South Carolina’s best player. He needed to carry a big load today but Lamont Paris opted to six him with two fouls in the first half as Kentucky built its separation.

13 … Minutes for Trent Noah. While Collin Chandler and Travis Perry each only.saw two minutes, Noah made strong contributions. He scored five points, had five rebounds and played physical. Kentucky was +8 in Noah’s 13 minutes.

6 … Assists for Koby Brea, who had one of his most balanced games as a Cat. He had 10 points on 4/8 FG but did work inside the arc as well. Not only that, but he chipped in with five rebounds and six assists.