LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — After three games without veteran point guard Lamont Butler, the Wildcats see the win column once again. Four Wildcats finished in double-figures with junior Otega Oweh leading with 17 points, followed by sophomore Brandon Garrison with a season-high of 15.
Under the 30 minute mark. Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson are warming up. This is Butler’s first time being available since Jan 25 @ Vandy. Robinson is listed as “game time decision”#BBN pic.twitter.com/9aXE1EfuMw
— Sierra Newton (@SoFlossieWrites) February 8, 2025
The South Carolina Gamecocks entered Rupp Arena 0-9 in the Southeastern Conference. Although their record leaves them last in the SEC, it doesn’t tell the full story of Lamont Paris’ team.
Against five AP top 15 SEC teams, the Gamecocks lost on average by 6.6 points, their biggest loss of 20 points came at the hands of a #5 Alabama team, and a #5 Florida was the smallest margin of defeat with one point thanks to a last-second shot.
The Wildcats were able to extend USC’s streak to 0-10 Saturday afternoon.
Kentucky opened its first two trips scoreless and forced USC to a shot clock violation, but it felt as if a seal was on the rim. After going 0/5 in the first three minutes Oweh gets the first field goal.
Out of the media timeout, the lineup of Andrew Carr, Garrison, Oweh, Jaxson Robinson, and Koby Brea went 4-4 from the field.
.@kobybrea steal ➡️ @kobybrea 3️⃣ to extend us to an 11-0 run.
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 8, 2025
📺 - ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/xEC6K3DebK
A Brea three gave Kentucky its first lead of the game, 13-11. UK would hold USC to a nearly five-minute scoring drought. Kentucky’s offense also looked stalled until Robinson and Brea hit back-to-back threes to stretch the lead to eight points with under 10 left in the first half.
South Carolina brought it within three points in the last five, but thanks to Carr going on a 5-0 run of his own Kentucky pulled ahead by 10. The Wildcats close out the half on a 12-1 run, 33-19.
.@kobybrea 🫣, @brandonGarriso 🤌
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 8, 2025
📺 - ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/D51dZQWYlc
Despite the troublesome start, Kentucky finished the half shooting 40.6% from the field. Twenty-three of those points came from in the paint with Carr, Garrison, and Williams contributing 20.
Kentucky’s second half started much better going 3/3 from the field, Butler saw his first points of the game with a layup.
Garrison provided a spark for the Cats by scoring 9 (4-4 FG, one 3PG) and adding a block for some flare. Blue soon found themselves on a 13-1 run to stretch the lead to 21.
Nine of those points came from Oweh to secure his double-figure streak in all 23 of Kentucky's games.
Soooo bouncy 🐰🐰🐰🐰
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 8, 2025
📺 - ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/QmhDjOGvdt
Kentucky’s offense finished shy of its season average of 87 points per game. As a team, UK finished with 19 assists, 41 rebounds, and nine turnovers. UK improves to 16-7 overall and 5-5 in the SEC.
@KentuckyMBB back in the win column!! After two tough losses the Cats were in desperate need of a win. Lamont Butler made his return today as UK defeats South Carolina 80-57 at home. Otega Oweh has scored in double figures every game this season and led the way with 17 points.… pic.twitter.com/oNvnbr9oXg
— Kinsey Lee (@kinseyleetv) February 8, 2025
The Wildcats stay home Tuesday, Feb. 11 taking on the Tennessee Volunteers for the second time this season. That game is at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
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