Kentucky Basketball shook off another sluggish start and pulled away late to earn a Saturday morning win over Ole Miss at Rupp Arena, winning by a final score of 72-63.
The first half was rough on both
sides. Through more than nine minutes of game time, the teams combined for just 25 total points, with missed shots, turnovers, and foul trouble defining a sloppy opening stretch. Kentucky struggled to find rhythm offensively, but Ole Miss couldn’t take advantage either, keeping the Wildcats within striking distance.
Complicating matters, Kentucky was short-handed yet again. Jaland Lowe (shoulder) and Kam Williams (foot) are both likely out for the season, with Williams missing his first game since his injury, while Jayden Quaintance remains sidelined as he works back from knee swelling related to his ACL recovery.
Otega Oweh was also limited early, picking up two quick fouls and playing just nine minutes in the first half, scoring only three points.
Kentucky had foul trouble in the first half with Brandon Garrison having three fouls, Malachi Moreno and Oweh each having two, and Kentucky needed a spark. That came from Jasper Johnson, who scored eight straight points to push the Wildcats ahead and steady the offense. Kentucky took a 29–23 lead into halftime.
The second half was a different story. Kentucky found its groove and gradually pulled away as Ole Miss struggled to keep pace. The Wildcats’ energy and execution improved on both ends, allowing them to create separation and control the game down the stretch.
Former Kentucky guard Travis Perry, now with Ole Miss, drew boos throughout the game, including during introductions, every time he touched the ball. The Lyon County product wound up with zero points on 0/3 shooting.
Kentucky went on to win 72-63, improving to 14–6 overall and 5–2 in SEC play, extending Mark Pope’s SEC winning streak to five straight.
Here are 4 things to know from another win inside of Rupp Arena.
Jasper Johnson provides the spark
Kentucky freshman Jasper Johnson proved once again why his role off the bench continues to grow, as he helped Kentucky to stay in the game during a sluggish first half against Ole Miss.
With Kentucky struggling to find any offensive rhythm early, Johnson stepped in and provided an immediate spark. The freshman scored eight straight points for the Wildcats, jump-starting an offense that was stuck in neutral as missed shots and turnovers piled up.
Johnson finished the first half shooting 3-for-7 from the field, a stat line that becomes even more impressive when put into context. Kentucky managed to make just eight total field goals as a team in the first half, meaning Johnson accounted for nearly half of the Wildcats’ made shots before the break.
Part of Kentucky’s offensive struggles came from foul trouble to key contributors. Otega Oweh was limited after picking up two early fouls, while Malachi Moreno also had to play cautiously, disrupting Kentucky’s usual flow. With two of the Wildcats’ primary options neutralized, Johnson embraced the moment and showed poise well beyond his experience level.
Johnson finished the half as Kentucky’s leading scorer, an impressive feat for a freshman coming off the bench. If Johnson can continue to build on this confidence, he could become an even more valuable piece for Kentucky moving forward, especially as the team continues to battle injuries and foul trouble.
Kentucky’s defense steps up again
Kentucky’s defense continued to set the tone, once again proving it can control games even when the offense struggles to find its rhythm.
The Wildcats held Ole Miss to just 23 points in the first half, marking a season-low for the Rebels. An early 11 a.m. tip-off likely contributed to the sluggish start on both ends. Ole Miss shot just 7-of-28 from the field in the first half and an ice-cold 1-of-10 from three-point range, unable to generate consistent looks or find any offensive flow.
This performance followed a familiar script from recent games. Against Texas, Kentucky limited the Longhorns to just 2-of-18 shooting from beyond the arc, a key reason in that win. Earlier, Tennessee was held to only 36 points in the second half, further showing the Wildcats’ ability to lock down opponents when it matters most.
If Kentucky can find a steady offensive rhythm to pair with its elite defensive performances, the Wildcats may soon turn close, physical games into comfortable wins.
Otega Oweh finds his rhythm
After a quiet and frustrating first half, Otega Oweh flipped the switch when Kentucky needed him most.
Oweh was limited early against Ole Miss after picking up two quick fouls in the first half, forcing him to the bench for long stretches. Oweh played just nine minutes before halftime and managed only three points and never quite finding a rhythm.
That changed quickly after the break.
Oweh came out aggressive in the second half, attacking the basket with confidence and providing the spark Kentucky’s offense had been missing. His energy was immediately felt when he threw down a powerful dunk that ignited the Rupp Arena crowd and seemed to lift the entire team. From there, Oweh settled into his game, knocking down timely jump shots and finishing strong around the rim.
By the end of the game, Oweh once again reached double figures, extending his impressive scoring streak that has become a constant throughout the season and much of his first year in Lexington.
In a game where foul trouble slowed him early, Oweh’s ability to reset and respond spoke volumes. His second-half performance against Ole Miss was another reminder of why he remains a key piece of Kentucky’s success and a steady presence the Wildcats can count on when momentum needs to swing.
Scoring droughts continue for Kentucky
Scoring droughts continue to be a lingering concern for Kentucky, and they showed up again in Saturday’s win despite the final result.
In the first half, the Wildcats had multiple stretches where the offense completely stalled. Kentucky went four full minutes without a made field goal at one point, followed later by another two-minute drought that allowed the game to remain closer than expected. Kentucky continued to miss shots, limited ball movement, and an inability to generate easy looks at the rim.
Unfortunately for Kentucky, the issue did not disappear after halftime.
The Wildcats again went more than four minutes in the second half without converting a field goal, a stretch that gave Ole Miss an opportunity to hang around despite Kentucky’s strong defensive effort. While the defense consistently bailed the team out by forcing tough shots and limiting scoring, the offensive lapses kept the game from turning into a comfortable win earlier.
While Kentucky has found ways to win through defense, effort, and timely individual performances, the scoring droughts remain a clear obstacle.
If Kentucky wants to take the next step this season and turn close games into statement wins, eliminating extended offensive droughts must become a priority. Defense may keep games manageable, but steady scoring will be the difference between surviving and thriving.
Now, let’s celebrate!
Go Cats!!
