The Kentucky Wildcats had their chances against the Oklahoma Sooners in their SEC tournament opener, but a staggering 20 turnovers ultimately cost them the game. Despite outshooting Oklahoma from the field and dominating the glass, Kentucky couldn’t overcome their mistakes, falling 69-65 in a frustrating loss.
The Wildcats shot 38.0% from the field compared to Oklahoma’s 30.6%, and they won the rebounding battle 49-43, but the 20 giveaways were too much to overcome. The Sooners capitalized on Kentucky’s miscues, scoring 14 points off turnovers and keeping the Wildcats from establishing any real offensive rhythm.
Georgia Amoore led Kentucky with 29 points on 12-for-27 shooting, including three three-pointers. Clara Strack added a strong double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds, while Dazia Lawrence chipped in 11 points. However, the Wildcats’ three-point shooting woes (4-for-23, 17.4%) and lack of ball movement (only 10 assists as a team) made it tough to generate consistent scoring.
The Sooners didn’t have a great offensive night either, shooting just 30.6% from the field and 22.2% from three-point range, but they made up for it at the free-throw line, knocking down 19 of 20 attempts (95.0%).
Raegan Beers was the standout for Oklahoma, finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds while shooting an efficient 7-for-13 from the field. Payton Verhulst added 16 points and two blocks, while the Sooners' bench provided just enough support to get them over the line.
Missed Opportunity Heading into the NCAA Tournament
This loss marks Kentucky’s second consecutive defeat heading into the NCAA Tournament, raising concerns about their momentum. If they hope to make a deep run, cleaning up their turnovers and finding more consistency from beyond the arc will be crucial.
Despite the back-to-back losses, the Wildcats have the talent to bounce back. However, if they can’t take better care of the ball, their tournament journey could be short-lived.