LEXINGTON, Ky. — Otega Oweh stepped up significantly in the second half, scoring 15 of his total 17 points to help the No. 14 ranked Kentucky Wildcats overcome a two-game losing streak, securing an 80-57 victory over South Carolina on Saturday.
Brandon Garrison made a notable contribution off the bench for Kentucky, adding 15 points to the scoreboard. With this win, Kentucky improved their season record to 16-7 and 5-5 within the Southeastern Conference. This victory also marked an important home game comeback following recent defeats against No. 4 Alabama on January 18 and Arkansas on February 1.
On the other side, South Carolina faced another tough match, with Collin Murray-Boyles scoring 14 points. The loss was the Gamecocks’ tenth in a row, reinforcing their struggles as they remain winless in conference play with a record of 10-13 overall and 0-10 in the SEC.
In terms of performance, South Carolina had significant offensive challenges, enduring a seven-minute drought without a field goal spanning both halves. During this frustrating stretch, they managed to score just three points from free throws and finished the game with a disappointing 4-for-22 shooting from beyond the arc.
Kentucky also had some positive signs with the return of Lamont Butler, who had been sidelined since January 25 due to a shoulder injury. Butler added eight points to the team’s tally and brought necessary defensive support, especially after Kentucky had allowed an average of 93.5 points in their previous two outings. Additionally, starting guard Jaxson Robinson played despite a wrist injury sustained during practice the day before, which had initially put his participation in doubt.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when South Carolina managed to narrow Kentucky’s lead to nine points at 50-41 following Murray-Boyles’ layup with roughly 10:30 remaining. However, Oweh quickly responded with a 3-pointer and then executed a fast break dunk following a steal, initiating a thrilling 15-0 run that extended Kentucky’s lead to 20 points.
In terms of statistics, Kentucky overcame a rough start, going just 1 for 9 early in the game and missing several layups. However, they managed to turn things around for the remainder of the half, shooting 12 for 23 and outscoring the Gamecocks 12-1 in the final four minutes, taking a healthy 33-19 lead into halftime.
Looking ahead, South Carolina will play against Mississippi at home on Wednesday, while Kentucky will host No. 4 Tennessee on Tuesday, aiming to build momentum from this victory.
