Stats, highlights, and stars from Kentucky basketball's first road against Clemson ends in a 70-66 loss

The Kentucky Wildcats started strong against Clemson in their first true road test of the season but faltered late in the first half. Early offensive rhythm and defensive stops helped Kentucky grab an initial lead, but foul trouble for Andrew Carr and Lamont Butler—both picking up two fouls—stalled the Wildcats' momentum.

With Carr and Butler sidelined for much of the half, Kentucky’s offense sputtered, managing just 11 points in the final 10 minutes. The Wildcats’ struggles peaked in the last five minutes, during which they scored a mere two points. Clemson capitalized on Kentucky’s foul woes and inconsistent shooting, ending the half on a decisive run that swung the game’s momentum.

Clemson's Chauncey Wiggins and Ian Schieffelin led the Tigers’ charge, combining for 14 first-half points and dominating the boards. The Tigers pulled down 13 offensive rebounds, creating second-chance opportunities that compounded Kentucky’s woes.

The Wildcats shot a subpar 31% from the field and 28% from beyond the arc in the first half. Their inability to crash the glass or convert free throws (6-for-11) added to their difficulties. Clemson, meanwhile, maintained its deliberate, physical pace, out-rebounding Kentucky 31-21 and shooting a more efficient 34% overall.

For Kentucky to turn things around in the second half, they’ll need to adjust to Clemson’s physicality, limit second-chance opportunities, and find ways to reestablish offensive flow that had shown the first 7 games.

With Clemson leading 37-30 at the break, the Wildcats are at a crossroads. Their response in the second half will provide an early measure of their resilience and ability to thrive in tough road environments.

And on the first position of the second half Oweh hits a three, but Williams gives up a drive to Schieffelin. Kentucky this half would not let Clemson jam the ball in the back ground as Butler several times pushed right through to get Kentucky easy shots. At the 16 minute time out Kentucky had trimmed the lead to just 1. Butler rolled his ankle, but quickly came back into the game.

At the under 12 timeout, it was a one point game with the Cats finaly getting the lead, but it did not last long. Clemson retook the lead as Kentucky again went into a scoring drought, this time 3 minutes without a basket. At the 8 minute timeout Clemson big man Lahkin hit a 3 and Amari Williams commits an offensive foul to send Clemson into the final 8 with a 59-54 lead and the ball.

The Tigers pushed the lead to 7 before the Cats clawed back into it, down only 3 after a jump ball sends the ball to Clemson with 5 minutes to go.

Kentucky needed a big time final five minutes to overcome a loud Clemson fanbase and a little home cooking with the refs whistle. As physical as Clemson played, they only had 6 fouls with 5 minutes to go.

Once again the Tigers pushed the lead back up to 8 with just 4 minutes to go, as Kentucky is struggling to do anything offensively. The Cats cut it to 6 and had the ball and Amari Williams made a tough layup, Clemson missed a jumper and the Cats had a chance to make it a one possesion game.

A horrible offensive possession ended with Butler airballing a three as the shot clock went to 0. A great block from Williams gave Kentucky a chance to again get closer but Oweh missed back to back threes. Another empty Clemson possession gave Kentucky a chance with 1:06 left.

Fans have to wonder why Koby Brea was on the bench when Kentucky needed some offense, that will be a question for Pope in the post game. Another missed three from Oweh, left Kentucky in a bad spot with Clemson taking the shot clock all the way down, and Oweh committing a foul with 1 second on the shot clock and just 21 on the clock.

The Cats get an ironic whistle sending Butler to the line where he made the first, missed the second but a replay keeps the ball with Kentucky. Butler hit a desperation three with 2.2 seconds left, sending Clemson to the line with a chance to ice the game. They did just that, hitting 2 free throws to give the Cats their first loss of the season 70-66

Andrew Carr had a really tough night, going just 1-7 and just 5 rebounds. Clemson's front court whipped the Cats big men all night long, with Ian Schieffelin 11 points and 20 rebounds. The Cats were also anemic offensively, shooting a paltry 24-63 (38%) and 7 of 27 from 3 (25%). Clemson actually hit 8 threes outscoring the Cats from behind the line.

And for the first time the Cats finished with more turnovers, 12, than assists 11. The offense was just completely off all night long not helped with Koby Brea spending the bulk of the second half on the bench.

We will if the Cats can rebound as they head out West to take on Gonzaga in Seattle.

Stars of the night

1. Lamont Butler

When Butler went to the bench in the first half, the Cats struggled mightily. The team is completely different with Bulter on the floor. Butler finishes with 16 points and 5 assists.

2. Otega Oweh

Where would the Cats be without Oweh? He was the main factor in getting the Cats back into the game early in the second half. Otega finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds, but only shot 5 of 13.