Highlights: Kentucky 85, Oklahoma 84
In a thrilling, back-and-forth battle that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer, the Kentucky Wildcats narrowly escaped the Oklahoma Sooners with an 85-84 victory. The game was a high-octane affair, with star performances from Otega Oweh and Koby Brea, who combined for 49 points to propel Kentucky to the win. The Wildcats held on despite a late-game surge from Oklahoma, advancing to the next round in a nail-biting finish.
Otega Oweh’s Masterclass
Otega Oweh was the standout player of the night, showcasing why he’s one of the top rising stars in college basketball. With 27 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals, Oweh was everywhere on the court. He shot an efficient 8-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and made several key plays down the stretch that kept Kentucky ahead in this tight matchup.
Oweh was especially dangerous in the second half, when the game seemed to be swinging in Oklahoma’s favor. Whether it was hitting timely shots, dishing out assists, or playing stellar defense, Oweh was the glue that held Kentucky together as Oklahoma mounted their comeback attempt.
His most memorable moment came with just under a minute left in the game, when he calmly drained a clutch mid-range jumper to put Kentucky up by three, a basket that proved to be the game-winner. Oweh’s poise under pressure was on full display, and his leadership was a big reason the Wildcats managed to hold off the Sooners’ late surge.
Koby Brea: The Reliable Second Scorer
While Oweh carried much of the load, Koby Brea was another key contributor for Kentucky, chipping in 22 points on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting from the field, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Brea’s outside shooting was critical in keeping Kentucky’s offense flowing, especially in the first half when Oklahoma’s defense was more focused on Oweh. His ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting gave Kentucky much-needed spacing, and he added 4 rebounds to his stat line.
Brea also came up with timely baskets when Oklahoma made their push in the second half. His 3-pointers helped Kentucky maintain their slim lead and prevented the Sooners from gaining the momentum they needed to seize control of the game.
Oklahoma’s Resilient Effort
Despite the loss, Oklahoma fought hard and nearly pulled off the upset. Tanner Groves led the Sooners with 23 points and 7 rebounds, while Jordan Goldwire contributed 17 points and 5 assists. Goldwire was particularly impressive in the second half, scoring efficiently and helping bring Oklahoma back into the game after they had trailed by double digits. Jacob Groves added 12 points and 5 rebounds, making key shots down the stretch to give Oklahoma a chance to steal the game.
The Sooners’ defense also made it difficult for Kentucky to close things out, forcing multiple turnovers and making critical stops late. However, their comeback ultimately fell short due to Kentucky’s clutch plays and timely scoring.
The Final Moments
With just seconds left on the clock and Oklahoma trailing by one point, the Sooners had a chance to win the game. After a missed three-pointer by Jordan Goldwire in the final seconds, Kentucky’s defense sealed the win, forcing a rushed shot from Tanner Groves that missed as time expired. The Wildcats secured the rebound, and the buzzer sounded with Kentucky holding on to the 85-84 victory.
Key Stats and Takeaways:
- Otega Oweh: 27 PTS (8-14 FG, 2-3 3FG), 5 AST, 4 REB, 3 STL
- Koby Brea: 22 PTS (8-12 FG, 4-7 3FG), 4 REB
- Tanner Groves (Oklahoma): 23 PTS, 7 REB
- Jordan Goldwire (Oklahoma): 17 PTS, 5 AST
- Jacob Groves (Oklahoma): 12 PTS, 5 REB
Kentucky advances to the next round with a hard-fought victory, but they know they’ll need to tighten up their play moving forward, especially with the challenge that lies ahead. Despite the close call, the Wildcats can take solace in the fact that they survived a tough test, with their two stars—Oweh and Brea—stepping up when it mattered most.
As Kentucky moves on to the quarterfinals, they’ll be looking for more from Oweh, who has proven himself to be one of the most dominant players in the tournament, as well as continued scoring support from Brea. With the win, Kentucky’s championship hopes remain alive, but they’ll need to be just as resilient in future matchups if they hope to continue their run.