Kentucky’s Rough Night in Madison Square Garden: A Humbling Loss to Ohio State
Kentucky’s visit to Madison Square Garden for the CBS Sports Classic ended in disappointment, as the Wildcats struggled mightily against Ohio State in an 85-65 loss. The game revealed glaring weaknesses on both ends of the court, with Kentucky falling short offensively and defensively throughout the night.
The contest began with Ohio State’s sharpshooter John Mobley Jr. draining a deep three, showcasing his 53% accuracy from beyond the arc this season. Kentucky responded with a three-pointer from Jaxson Robinson and electrifying dunks by Lamont Butler and Andrew Carr, taking an 8-7 lead at the first TV timeout. However, this brief surge of energy proved fleeting.
A First Half Defined by Missed Opportunities
Kentucky’s offense sputtered early, including a two-minute scoring drought that allowed Ohio State to retake the lead. While Koby Brea tied the game at 16 with a three-pointer, the Wildcats’ struggles to capitalize on key opportunities became increasingly evident. Ansley Almonor briefly put Kentucky ahead with a free throw, but the Buckeyes quickly responded with a mid-range jumper.
The teams traded baskets in a scrappy and uneven stretch, with Ohio State holding a slim 22-21 lead by the under-8 timeout. During the break, head coach Mark Pope expressed confidence in his team’s ability to adjust defensively, but his optimism was misplaced. Kentucky committed a shot clock violation followed by an Andrew Carr turnover, which fueled Ohio State’s momentum. Things worsened when Butler picked up his second foul, and the Wildcats found themselves down three with 5:30 left in the half.
The Buckeyes seized control, exploiting Kentucky’s offensive dry spell. Amari Williams’ layup at the nine-minute mark was Kentucky’s final field goal for nearly nine minutes. During that time, Ohio State extended their lead to seven, prompting Pope to call a timeout.
Otega Oweh temporarily stopped the bleeding with two free throws, but Ohio State’s Aaron Bradshaw hit a three-pointer that widened the gap to 31-23 at the under-4 timeout. Despite some late free throws by Carr, Kentucky’s shooting woes persisted. Williams ended the Wildcats’ field goal drought with a powerful dunk, but Ohio State maintained a 39-30 lead at halftime.
The first-half stats painted a grim picture for Kentucky. The Wildcats shot just 34.8% from the field, while Ohio State converted 63% of their attempts. Kentucky’s reliance on free throws (12-of-16) kept them within striking distance, but their 2-of-11 shooting from three-point range highlighted their offensive inefficiency.
You can never leave Koby Brea open. #BBN pic.twitter.com/MhWWyM7SHm
— Chris Beasmore (@CBeasmoreSports) December 21, 2024
Second-Half Struggles Cement the Defeat
The second half began much like the first, with Ohio State dominating the pace. The Buckeyes quickly extended their lead to 15 points, prompting Kentucky to switch to a 1-3-1 defense. While this adjustment temporarily disrupted Ohio State’s rhythm, free throws from Oweh and an and-one play from Carr brought the deficit back to single digits.
However, Kentucky failed to capitalize on this momentum. Ohio State rebuilt their lead to 12 by the under-16 timeout, and Kentucky found themselves scrambling to keep pace. Despite a three-pointer from Koby Brea and an and-one by Oweh that cut the lead to six, Ohio State responded decisively. A quick three-pointer, coupled with a missed layup by Robinson, allowed the Buckeyes to rebuild a 13-point advantage.
Kentucky’s offensive woes continued, with missed opportunities and turnovers derailing their attempts to mount a comeback. Despite occasional bright spots, such as Butler’s free throws cutting the lead to eight, the Wildcats never managed to sustain a meaningful run. With six minutes remaining, Kentucky trailed by nine, but Ohio State’s control over the tempo proved insurmountable. The Buckeyes closed the game with authority, sealing a commanding 85-65 victory.
A Disappointing Performance Across the Board
The final team stats highlighted Kentucky’s struggles. They shot just 29.8% from the field, including a dismal 4-of-22 (18.2%) from three-point range. In contrast, Ohio State connected on 56.6% of their shots and dominated the paint with 36 points. While Kentucky’s 27 free throws helped mitigate the damage, it wasn’t enough to overcome their poor shooting and turnovers.
Notable Performances in a Forgettable Night
- Andrew Carr: Carr was one of the few bright spots for Kentucky, leading the team with 12 points, though he managed just four rebounds and committed critical turnovers.
https://twitter.com/kentuckyhoopsig/status/1870613902813544456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1870613902813544456%7Ctwgr%5E1b8d865f2d4b5b95a836a60f0a1cd74a454b137d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwildcatbluenation.com%2Frecapping-kentucky-basketball-s-absolutely-embarrassing-night-in-msg
- Otega Oweh: Oweh’s 21-point performance was fueled by a perfect 13-of-13 from the free-throw line. However, his 4-of-13 shooting from the field and struggles to convert open opportunities underscored Kentucky’s larger issues.
OTEGA OWEH!
OWEH-OWEH-OWEH! pic.twitter.com/vhszKEHCTV
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) December 22, 2024
Looking Ahead
Kentucky’s performance at Madison Square Garden was nothing short of humbling. Their inability to execute offensively, combined with lapses on defense, allowed Ohio State to dictate the game from start to finish. For a team with high expectations, this loss serves as a wake-up call.
Moving forward, the Wildcats will need to regroup and address their inefficiencies if they hope to contend in the remainder of the season. This game was a harsh reminder that raw talent alone won’t carry them to success—they’ll need sharper execution and greater composure under pressure to bounce back.
