The Kentucky Wildcats escaped Norman with an 83-82 thriller over the Oklahoma Sooners ahead of a crucial home matchup against #1 Auburn to climb to 19-9 (8-7 SEC). Big Blue Nation watched a rollercoaster battle—up 43-41 at halftime, the No. 17 Cats withstood a Sooner surge to drop Oklahoma to 17-11 (4-11 SEC). Otega Oweh’s late-game heroics sealed it, but we go in-depth and look at what won it for the Cats.
Halftime Snapshot: A Tight Shootout
At the break, Kentucky led 43-41 in a high-octane first half—both teams shot an identical 15-of-31 (48.4%) from the field, but the Cats edged ahead with 5-of-13 (38.5%) from three to Oklahoma’s 3-of-12 (25.0%). Free throws shone bright—Kentucky’s 8-of-9 (88.9%) while the Sooners were 8-of-12 (66.7%). Oklahoma dominated paint points (22-16) and fast breaks (15-8). Rebounding tilted to the Sooners—20-16, with 6 offensive boards to UK’s 3—yet Kentucky’s 9 assists to Oklahoma’s 5 meant the Cats were pushing the ball and moving it well.. Oweh (2-of-7), Jaxson Robinson (3-of-7), and Koby Brea (3-of-7) all struggled a little in the first half—Jeremiah Fears (5-of-12) and Jalon Moore (4-of-6) paced OU with 12 each.
Full Game: Oweh’s Surge Seals It
Kentucky finished 83-82, shooting 29-of-58 (50.0%) to Oklahoma’s 30-of-57 (52.6%)—a razor-thin edge flipped by three-point volume (7-of-23 vs. 10-of-25) and free throws (18-of-24 vs. 12-of-17). Oweh erupted for 28 points (12-of-21), including a game-winning layup with 5 seconds left. overcoming his first-half funk. Rebounds tightened to 31-34, but Kentucky’s 10 steals (Brandon Garrison’s 3) and 4 blocks were crucial to stem the tide. Turnovers favored UK slightly (13-15), yielding 16 points off turnovers to OU’s 10. Oklahoma’s paint edge held (36-40), but Kentucky’s 75.0% free-throw clip trumped OU’s 70.6%.
Key Stats and the Winning Edge
Oweh’s Second-Half Takeover: Oweh’s run down the stretch was magical. At one point he had 19 of 21 Kentucky points, including the game winner and flipped his early woes—his 28 total outshone Fears (18) and Moore (20) in his return to Norman.
Free-Throw Precision: Kentucky’s 18-of-24 (75.0%) vs. Oklahoma’s 12-of-17 (70.6%)—a 6-point edge—proved decisive in a one-point game, echoing Stoops’ 2025 toughness mantra (UK Athletics).
Defensive Havoc: UK’s 10 steals and 4 blocks disrupted Oklahoma’s rhythm—Garrison’s 3 steals and 3 blocks in limited minutes helped seal the deal late.
Up next is a key date with Auburn Saturday.