Written by: Ainsley Saurers
No. 9 Kentucky Men’s Basketball traveled to Nashville to play the Vanderbilt Commodores this
Saturday which resulted in an upset for the Cats.
Otega Oweh played a very impressive game leading the Cats with 21 points scored and12
rebounds. Amar Williams has the highest number of assists for the Cats with four.
Starting off quick both teams traded a few possessions to kick off the first half. It was Kentucky
that ended up scoring the first points of the game when Amari Williams’ hands found the rim for
a dunk. The ‘Dores reacted with a 7-2 run giving them the lead. Oweh kickstarted his points
scoring a layup and Ansley Almonor landed a three regaining the lead for the Cats.
Vandy was on Kentucky’s heels quickly with another run taking the lead for Kentucky 15-12.
Kentucky called their first timeout. Coming out of the timeout Brandon Garrison landed a basket
putting the Cats nose-to-nose with Vandy. Vandy felt the pressure and made a three, but
Garrison was still hot and managed another bucket. Kolby Brea landed a three giving Kentucky
the lead once more, but Vandy countered it with a three of their own.
Jaxson Robinson managed a three giving the Cats the lead again. Williams landed a free throw,
which lit a fire for the Dore. Vandy reacted with a 16-2 run. Garrison put a stop to the run with
another basket, but the half ended with Vandy in the lead after scoring four more points.
Coming into the second half Kentucky found their footing. Lamont Butler landed a three,Oweh
landed a pair of free throws, and Almonor hit a three. Oweh wasn’t done, he hit a layup and
another free throw. Vandy went on a run of their own, remaining in the lead 49-41.
Almonor landed another three creeping Kentucky closer 49-44 and Robinson got even closer
with a basket of his own. Garrison didn’t let Vandy respond scoring another basket. Vandy finally
reacted, scoring another basket, but Robinson managed a three making it a tied game 51-51.
Kentucky finally regained the lead thanks to a layup from Butler. Butler made one at the line,
Oweh and Williams each sank a basket of their own making it 58-51.
Vandy went on to score the next six points, but Oweh caught air and made a dunk, settling the
score at 60-57. Vandy scored some points at the line to tie the game yet again 60-60.
Kentucky stepped forward taking the lead again with an Oweh bucket but Vandy didn’t let them
get comfortable tying the game again 62-62. Oweh was at the line again, but only managed to
land one basket. It was enough for the Cats to regain the lead, but the Commodores scored the
next four stripping the lead for the Cats.
Oweh landed one of two free throws, but did not let the miss sit for long. Oweh rebounded the
miss and Almonor hit a three not letting the miss do much damage. Vandy took the lead back for
just a moment before Oweh took it back leaving it 69-68.
Vandy took the lead back for the final time leaving the Cats unable to recover and secured the
win 74-69.
Kentucky will remain on the road and take on the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville on Tuesday
at 7 P.M. ET.
