LEXINGTON — Everyone has heard of a “must-win game.” Well, Wednesday was a “can’t-lose contest” for Kentucky basketball.
After an emotional victory over Arkansas and ex-coach John Calipari, with border-state nemesis Tennessee on tap Saturday, Wednesday’s matchup versus lowly Oklahoma — owner of an eight-game losing streak — had all the makings of a dreaded trap game for UK. And for the better part of the first half, that’s exactly it was — the Wildcats and Sooners swapped the lead five times and had five ties until the hosts surged ahead for good thanks to a 3 from Collin Chandler as the clock ticked under six minutes.
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It was a stress-free SEC victory from there, as UK rolled to a 94-78 win at Rupp Arena.
The 16-point triumph marked the seventh win for the Wildcats (16-7, 7-3 SEC) in their last eight games. Conversely, it extended the Sooners’ suffering. Losers of nine straight, Oklahoma (11-12, 1-9) hasn’t ended a game on the right side of the scoreboard in more than a month; its most recent win was in its conference opener Jan. 3, when it downed Ole Miss.
As the Wildcats seek to continue their rise up the NCAA Tournament seed line after dropping their first four Quad 1 affairs this season — and five of their first six — they’ve now gone 3-1 in their past four such outings.
Wednesday was not that.
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Oklahoma was a Quad 3 opponent for Kentucky.
And as they should, the Wildcats were rude hosts to the team that resides at the bottom of the SEC standings.
For the second time in as many seasons, OU’s primary tormentor was one of its former players, Otega Oweh. He scored 28 points in the first meeting of 2024-25, then 27 in the second. In both, he lifted the Wildcats to a win on a buzzer-beating basket.
No such heroics were needed Wednesday.
But he still poured in 24 points for good measure — a game high on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, including 3 for 4 on 3s and 7-of-9 aim at the free-throw line.
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This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball beats Oklahoma, UK handles business in SEC game
