Otega Oweh Reflects on Kentucky’s Determined Comeback in Second Half Against Gonzaga
The Kentucky Wildcats weren’t about to let a long flight and a challenging road trip end in disappointment.
When the Wildcats took the court in Seattle on Saturday evening, they were greeted with a hostile environment at Climate Pledge Arena, the iconic venue that hosted the 1962 World’s Fair. Most of the crowd was cheering for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, but Kentucky was ready to make a statement. Despite trailing by 16 points at halftime, the Wildcats mounted an incredible comeback, refusing to let the game slip away.
After the hard-fought overtime win, Kentucky forward Otega Oweh, who transferred from Oklahoma, spoke candidly about the mindset shift that fueled the team’s second-half resurgence. In an exclusive postgame interview with Goose Givens, Oweh described how a collective resolve to fight back turned the game around for the Wildcats.
“We came together as a team and just said, ‘We didn’t come all this way just to get punked. We didn’t come here to be embarrassed,’” Oweh explained. “We had to show some pride, and that’s exactly what we did in the second half. We all stepped up and got it done.”
Oweh, who played a crucial role in the Wildcats’ victory, finished the game with 13 points and six rebounds. However, the win was far from a one-man effort. The balanced offensive attack saw five Kentucky players scoring in double figures, with Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr leading the charge with 19 points and seven rebounds. Jaxon Robinson added 18 points, while Amari Williams and Brandon Garrison both contributed 12 points each.
In addition to their offensive firepower, Kentucky’s defense and free-throw shooting were key to their victory. The Wildcats were perfect at the free-throw line in the second half, hitting 15 of 18 attempts. Coupled with their disciplined play—limiting themselves to just seven turnovers—Kentucky executed the game plan perfectly and delivered a massive road win.
Looking ahead, Kentucky will return to Rupp Arena to face Colgate on Wednesday before gearing up for a highly anticipated rivalry matchup against Louisville on Saturday. With a newfound sense of confidence and determination, the Wildcats appear ready to tackle whatever challenges lie ahead this season.
