Written by: Ainsley Saurers
No. 14 Kentucky Men’s Basketball defeated South Carolina 80-57, breaking their losing streak on Saturday in Rupp Arena.
Otega Oweg led the way with 17 points, followed by a season-high 15 points for Brandon Garrison. Koby Brea and Amari Williams each contributed a double-digit performance scoring 10 points each for the Wildcats.
Kentucky’s offense got off to a slow start allowing the lead slip to the Gamecocks early, 4-2. Garrison got to work on his 15 points making a layup to tie the game 4-4. South Caroline extended the lead 11-8, but Brea went on a five point streak to take the lead from the Gamecocks, 13-11.
Jaxson Robinson sank a three and Brae mimicked sinking a three of his own, forcing the Gamecocks into a timeout. Coming out of the timeout South Carolina found some momentum scoring the next five points settling the score, 19-16.
Andrew Carr took over with the next seven points at the start of a 14-3 run helping the Cats cap off the half with the lead, 33-19.
Entering the second half Kentucky came in hot scoring the first four points growing their advantage 37-19. South Carolina reacted by going on an 11-4 run to get within 11, 41-30. Garrison hooked a layup putting a stop to the run, but the Gamecocks kept pushing, narrowing the gap to get within nine, 50-41.
Kentucky took control to put a seal on the game. Oweh drained a three and then hung from the rim with a dunk. Williams’ added another dunk and a free throw. Lamont Butler finished it off with a layup and a free throw of his own giving the game to Kentucky, 62-41. South Carolina could not make a comeback giving the Cats the win, 80-57.
Photo: Lexington Herald Leader
