FINAL: Otega Oweh's 28 points, game-winner lead Kentucky past Oklahoma 83-82 in thrilling finish

Now THAT is how you respond after having your worst game of the season.

Otega Oweh, in his return to Norman, would not be denied against his former team. The one-time Sooner did everything his team needed to fuel No. 17 Kentucky (19-9; 8-7 SEC) past Oklahoma (17-11; 4-11 SEC) 83-82 in what was an instant classic. Oweh, who scored a season-low two points last time out, finished with a career-high 28 points and six rebounds, including the go-ahead game-winner with 6.1 seconds left. 23 of his points came in the second half. He also delivered the definitive blow to Oklahoma’s chances with one final defensive stop on the last possession.

Kentucky saw the return of Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson to the lineup in this one, but foul trouble (and a reaggravation of Robinson’s wrist injury), kept them from getting into a consistent groove. But others stepped up and made big plays, namely Brandon Garrison, who added 12 points, four rebounds, three blocks, and three steals. UK shot 50 percent from the field and 7-23 (30.4 percent from deep).

Oklahoma was scorching hot from the field in the second half, shooting 57.7 percent overall and 7-13 from deep. Star freshman Jeremiah Fears went for 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists while Jalon Moore added 20 points and six rebounds. But no one could stop Oweh on the other end. Oklahoma has now lost six of its last seven games.

It was a slow start from both teams early on. Kentucky didn’t score its first bucket until nearly three minutes in. But after taking a 5-4 lead, the Wildcats would hold onto that advantage for most of the first half. An 8-0 run from UK soon followed to make it a nine-point edge. But foul trouble quickly became an issue. All four of Butler, Robinson, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams (who appeared to injure his ankle but did not sit out long) were tagged with two fouls in the first half.

The foul trouble forced Mark Pope‘s hand, who played 11 guys in the opening 20 minutes. Nine first-half points from Koby Brea and a couple of three-pointers from Garrison kept Kentucky in front though. “Go Big Blue” chants were even raining down from the crowd at one point. Oklahoma wasn’t hitting from deep (3-12 in the first half) but connected on plenty of twos to go along with an 8-12 mark from the free throw line.

Oklahoma eventually took its first lead since the opening minutes with a 39-38 advantage near the end of the half. UK responded to grab a 43-41 lead at the intermission. Oweh had five points and five rebounds, but the former Sooner shot just 2-7 as he struggled to finish at the rim. Fears and Moore, OU’s leading scorers, each had 12 points at the break.

Williams was hit with his third foul 30 seconds into the second half and went straight to the bench. Garrison did an excellent job of filling in though with four points, two blocks, and two steals before the first media timeout as Kentucky jumped in front 54-47. UK had opportunities to make it a double-digit game, but Oklahoma continued to make shots. The Sooners cut the deficit down to one as Pope called timeout with 13:19 to go.

The hits would keep coming too. Oklahoma broke out an 8-0 run to take a five-point lead midway through the half, its largest of the evening. At one point, the Sooners were on a streak of making nine straight shots. Oweh kept the ‘Cats afloat though as Butler fouled out with 4:16 in regulation. A timely and-one slam for Oweh tied the game 75-75 at the final media timeout.

A massive three-pointer from Glen Taylor, a 25.5 percent outside shooter on the season, gave the Sooners an 80-79 lead. Kentucky called timeout with the ball and just under 60 seconds to go. Thanks to a great play call from Pope, Oweh responded with a layup to put the ‘Cats up once again. Oklahoma then called timeout with 45 seconds left, trailing by one.

Moore would get fouled near the end of the shot clock and connected on both as the Sooners regained the lead, but Oweh once again came up clutch with a tough layup and just six seconds remaining. Oklahoma had one last chance to win the game but Oweh got a piece of the ball on Fears’ shot attempt, which came up short.

It was anything but pretty, but a road win in the SEC — a Quad 1 win at that — is tough to come by. This was a huge victory for the Wildcats and one that might just end Oklahoma’s NCAA Tournament chances.