FINAL: Kentucky Wins Physical Fight at South Carolina, 86-76

Frank Martin’s South Carolina basketball team never backs down from a fight. They scratched and slapped and clawed, withstanding one Kentucky run after another until the Wildcats finally put them away with an 86-76 victory.

Kentucky had runs of 8-0, 7-0 and four 6-0 runs that would typically take a team out of the game. Not even the loud “GO BIG BLUE!” chants from the crowd at Colonial Life Arena could knock out the Gamecocks. Kentucky turnovers and South Carolina offensive rebounds kept them in the game, until Oscar Tshiebwe delivered the decisive blow with big bucket after big bucket in the second half.

The UK win snapped a two-game losing streak in Columbia. After playing five road games in the last seven, the Wildcats’ only suffered one loss, at Auburn.

Toppin Changes the Game

The momentum of the game swung on Jacob Toppin‘s presence. The junior forward entered the game late in the first half and scored 10 points in just six minutes, including eight straight for the Wildcats.

Kentucky led 39-28. That all changed when Toppin became the latest Wildcat to roll his ankle.

Toppin was sent to the locker room, sidelined for the rest of the game. The Gamecocks responded, taking momentum though intermission with a 15-4 run to tie the game at 43 with 16:04 remaining.

TyTy Takes Charge

As the game appeared to be in jeopardy, Kentucky’s phenomenal freshman took control. TyTy Washington forced a turnover, then threw down a dunk in transition. He scored on the following possession, then threw a lob to Keion Brooks. The next time down the court Kellan Grady hit a bucket. In only 1:45, the Wildcats turned a tie ballgame into a seven-point lead, all sparked by the freshman.

Oscar Awakens

It was a bizarre sight to behold. South Carolina was out-rebounding Kentucky. In the first half the Gamecocks had 10 offensive rebounds and nine second chance points. Oscar Tshiebwe was losing another battle with a mauling SEC front-court.

It all changed in the second half, thanks to Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes. As soon as the ESPN broadcasters pointed out Tshiebwe’s seemingly subpar stat-line, The Machine came to life.

Oscar ran the floor for funks in transition. He got to the block early and made moves without hesitating. Once affected by the pushing and shoving, he pushed back, pulling rebounds from the arms of multiple South Carolina Gamecocks. Tshiebwe had 12 points and 12 rebounds in the second half, totaling 18 and 14 on the night, respectively.

Kentucky vs. South Carolina Box Score

The Wildcats had six players score in double figures. Sahvir Wheeler had another 0-fer night from the field, but the UK point guard racked up 11 assists in the 10-point win.