After late TV start (thanks, SEC Network), Kentucky leads Oklahoma at the half

by:Jack Pilgrim•about 9 hours

NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Oklahoma — Feb 26, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) drives to the basket around Oklahoma Sooners forward Jalon Moore (14) during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

If you’re watching at home, I hope you enjoyed those extra 45 minutes of Vanderbilt’s win over Texas A&M. The monitor review fest was truly riveting, everything we’ve ever wanted ahead of a Wednesday night SEC matchup in late February. Why would you not want to start watching your game — one scheduled to tip off at 9 PM ET anyway — with just 6:44 left in the first half? That’s when Kentucky at Oklahoma finally hit your televisions.

Of what we were able to see, it was a mixed bag in Norman. The Wildcats lead, yes, but it wasn’t pretty for either team, really. UK is shooting 48.4 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from three and 88.9 percent at the line compared to 48.4 percent overall, 25.0 percent from deep and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe for OU.

Koby Brea leads the way with nine points on 3-7 shooting, followed by Brandon Garrison with eight, Jaxson Robinson with seven, Amari Williams with six, Otega Oweh with five, Lamont Butler and Travis Perry with three and Andrew Carr with two. Four different players picked up two fouls, though, with 11 called in total.

For Oklahoma, it’s exactly who you expected to step up as Jeremiah Fears and Jalon Moore lead the way with 12 points apiece, followed by Sam Godwin with five and Mohamed Wague and Brycen Goodine with four each.

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A few other stats jumping out: OU is winning the rebounding battle 20-16 with more points in the paint (22-16) and fastbreak points (15-8) while UK has more assists (9-5) and bench points (20-6), plus two additional makes from deep.

Nothing to be comfortable about yet, but in position to clean things up and leave Norman with a win. Doesn’t have to be pretty, just have to get it done.