FINAL: No. 4 Kentucky's offense hits a wall, Ohio State cruises to 85-65 victory in NYC

It just wasn’t Kentucky’s night in New York City…

On Saturday in Madison Square Garden, the No. 5 Wildcats (10-2) put together its worst performance of the entire season in an ugly 85-65 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes (8-4). Kentucky’s offense was nowhere to be found while the defense was equally as bad — if not worse. UK shot 29.8 percent from the field, making just 17 total field goals on the night (the previous season-low was 24 against Clemson). On the other end, Ohio State shot 57 percent as a team and was met with little resistance from the Wildcats’ defense, especially in the paint.

Had it not been for a terrific showing from the free-throw line (27-32) for Kentucky, the score would have looked far more lopsided. Otega Oweh was one of the lone bright spots with 21 points, although most of that production came from the stripe. Andrew Carr (12 points) and Jaxson Robinson (11) were the only other UK players in double-figures.

Bruce Thornton picked apart Kentucky all night, scoring a game-high 30 points for Ohio State. UK went just 7-23 on layups. It felt like there was a lid on the basket no matter where the ‘Cats shot from. There’s no other way to slice this one: it was an embarrassing showing from Mark Pope‘s team.

In what is becoming an unfortunate trend, it was another slow first half for Kentucky. It was tight early on with the ‘Cats even holding a small lead. But the offense soon hit a brick wall that was never broken down. Kentucky went over eight minutes without making a field goal (9:00-0:47) which allowed Ohio State to take a double-digit lead. UK had to make a living at the free throw line (12-16 at the half) just to stay alive as the outside shots (2-11 from deep) weren’t falling.

It was former Wildcat center Aaron Bradshaw who was doing the most damage for Ohio State, as well. The sophomore had nine points on 4-4 shooting in the first half as the Buckeyes were up to a 63 percent mark from the field. Everything was coming easy in the paint. Meanwhile, UK was at just 34.8 percent shooting after 20 minutes. Lamont Butler only played 11 minutes due to foul trouble as Kentucky trailed 39-30 at the intermission.

It wouldn’t get any easier to start the second half either. Ohio State immediately took a 15-point lead. UK continued to chip away though and went on a run that inspired some hope. Oweh (11-11 from the stripe at this point) converted on an and-one to make it a six-point game just five minutes into the half. But Kentucky’s defense couldn’t stop a nosebleed. The Buckeyes were scoring at will while the ‘Cats couldn’t hit the ocean. With under 10 minutes to go it was back to a 15-point Ohio State advantage.

Kentucky’s free throws prevented Ohio State from running away with a blowout victory, but this game was never truly close in the second half. Every UK score (the few that went in the basket) was immediately countered. The Buckeyes were up by a dozen at the final media timeout. Kentucky was officially out of opportunities. The 20-point loss will be tough to swallow with a 10-day break from games on the horizon.