LEXINGTON, Ky. — In a thrilling matchup, Adou Thiero returned to Lexington and scored 21 points against his former team, helping Arkansas secure an impressive 89-79 victory over No. 12 Kentucky on Saturday night.
D.J. Wagner contributed 17 points, while Zvonimir Ivisic added 14 points, leading Arkansas (13-8, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) to triumph. Additionally, Johnell Davis, who transferred from Florida Atlantic, made a significant impact with 18 points, including 12 in the first half; this marked his first game against Kentucky since leaving the Wildcats last season after a notable tenure.
Kentucky (15-6, 4-4) saw a standout performance from Amari Williams, who achieved a season-best 22 points along with 11 rebounds. Jaxson Robinson also chipped in with 20 points as the Wildcats faced their second consecutive loss at home.
In terms of key takeaways, Arkansas demonstrated a revitalized offense, executing crucial shots at pivotal moments to maintain their advantage over the Wildcats. After Kentucky narrowed the score to 76-70, Ivisic hit a crucial long-range 3-pointer, followed by Davis converting a layup off a steal, effectively staving off Kentucky’s attempt to rally.
From Kentucky’s perspective, the absence of point guard Lamont Butler for a second consecutive game due to undisclosed injuries disrupted their offensive rhythm. Consequently, the Wildcats committed 14 turnovers, which resulted in 12 points for Arkansas.
A pivotal moment in the game came at halftime when Arkansas led 46-45. Thiero and Wagner initiated the second half with a decisive 12-2 run, extending their lead to 58-47. Thiero kicked off the scoring with a dunk and capped the run with a 3-pointer.
Notably, Arkansas entered the game shooting 32.5% from beyond the arc for the season, averaging 5.7 three-pointers per game in SEC contests. However, they excelled by shooting 52% and netting 13 threes against Kentucky, who managed just 3 for 13 on three-point attempts in the second half.
Following this loss, Kentucky’s ranking will likely be affected despite their earlier victory over Tennessee earlier in the week.
Looking ahead, Arkansas is set to face Texas on Wednesday, while Kentucky will travel to No. 23 Mississippi on Tuesday.
