Kentucky-Valparaiso Postgame Notes

KENTUCKY MEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME NOTES
RUPP ARENA AT CENTRAL BANK CENTER | LEXINGTON, KY.
NOVEMBER 7, 2025
ATTENDANCE: 20,016

Final Score: No. 9 Kentucky 107, Valparaiso 59

Team Records and Series Notes

Kentucky is 2-0 on the season while Valparaiso is 1-1.
Kentucky leads the series 3-0, including 2-0 in Lexington.
The Wildcats have their first road game of the season Tuesday at Louisville. Game time is 8 p.m. and it will be televised on ESPN.

Team Notes

Tonight’s tussle was the second game of the BBN United Tipoff Classic. Nicholls and Eastern Illinois are also part of the multi-team event. The Wildcats will conclude the Classic on Nov. 14 at home vs. Eastern Illinois.
The 2025-26 season is Kentucky’s 50th season in Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center and the Wildcats have a three-game win streak in the facility, including the final home game of last season.
Kentucky tallied 107 points tonight, the sixth time under Coach Mark Pope that the Wildcats have hit the century mark.
- It is the second-most of the Pope era, just one shy of 108 last season vs. Jackson State.
Kentucky totaled 27 assists, with six players getting at least three.
Kentucky held Valparaiso to 59 points.
- UK is now 14-0 under Pope when holding the opponent under 70 points.
Six Wildcats scored in double figures for the first time since Jan. 18 vs. Alabama.

Player Notes

Malachi Moreno notched his first collegiate double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. He also had three assists without a turnover.
Otega Oweh had 15 points and has scored double figures in both games.
Collin Chandler had 14 points, sinking four 3-pointers, and had four assists with no turnovers.
Mo Dioubate had 14 points and five rebounds.
Denzel Aberdeen had a perfect shooting night, making all three field goals (including a 3-pointer) and all five foul shots, totaling 12 points.
Brandon Garrison also had a perfect shooting night, 4-4 from the field and 4-4 at the foul line, for 12 points. He added four assists with no turnovers.
Playing his first game after being injured Oct. 17 in the Blue-White Game, Jaland Lowe had six points, led the Wildcats in assists with five and had no turnovers.
Jasper Johnson had nine points and tied Lowe for assist honors with five.
Trent Noah and Jayden Quaintance missed the game because of injury.

Coach Mark Pope

Pope is in his 11^th season as a head coach with a 213-120 all-time record, including 26-12 in his second season at Kentucky.
Pope is off to a 2-0 start for the fifth time in his career, including both seasons at UK.

In the First Half

Kentucky started Denzel Aberdeen, Otega Oweh, Collin Chandler, Mo Dioubate and Brandon Garrison, the first time that combination has started.
Jaland Lowe was UK’s first substitution at the 16:33 mark.
Kentucky made its first six shots in jumping out to a 13-3 lead.
Kentucky had a 13-0 run that made the score 47-14.
Kentucky led by as many as 36 points at 56-20.
Kentucky led at halftime 58-26, most points scored in one half in the Mark Pope era.
- Aberdeen and Chandler paced the scoring with 10 and 9 points, respectively.

In the Second Half

UK began the second half with the starters.
Kentucky hit the century mark, 102-58, on a Johnson 3-pointer with 2:18 remaining.
Kentucky led by as many as 48 points at 93-45 and again at the final score.

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