Cats need a 35 & OT to survive & advance.

📸: UK Athletics

The University of Kentucky Wildcats came into today’s game against St. Clara off of their 3rd loss this season to Florida & 13th overall of the year. Now the Wildcats entered today’s first-round matchup of the NCAA tournament with something to prove more than ever.

Now granted, the Wildcats have had some big wins this season (2) against the Vols, (1) against Vandy, (1) against St. John’s, but having 13 and being only eight games over .500 is something that isn’t common for the bluegrass faithful.

This was an interesting matchup for the Wildcats as Santa Clara was held to some positive regard mixed with high praise from some out there giving their 10th seed, and the way the first half went they proved just that.

A first half where Kentucky led at least a total of almost 15 mins yet went into halftime down by a score of 31-29. And the second half got off to a fast-paced start for both teams, dunked passes, shots, you name it, both sides were getting it done.

At a pivotal moment in the game with 8:15 left to go in the opening round matchup up, Brandon Garrison of Kentucky picked up his fourth foul putting the Cats in a tough defensive position, and what do you know? The Broncos drain a three to go up four points with just under eight minutes to go.

And Garrison would make up the fourth fouled big time late in the second half with a crucial block with just under 3 minutes to go. Down one with 2 minutes to go Oweah went to the line shooting two, missing one and making one, tying the game 68-68.

And then Clara comes right down converts a basket going up two with 1:25 to go, Kentucky comes down the court quick but to no avail Oweah misses the 3 point attempt. In a crazy sequence Kentucky was able to get the ball back make a shot, Clara comes down drains a three, and Oweah with .2 seconds to go drains a half court shot tying the game 73 all to send it to overtime.

Oweah would also make the first basket of overtime down the middle with a light tip-in, just before Clara would come right back down, draining a three. And then, in a time when no one can afford to miss a shot, Garrison misses two crucial free throws just before the 2-minute mark.

Garrison would make one of the biggest blocks of his career, causing it to fall back to Oweah, and Garrison gets the ball back and slams it down, giving the Cats the lead 83-79.

Clara comes back down, tries to get the ball off, and what do you know, Garrison with another HUGE block, giving the ball back to Kentucky.

Kentucky would wind up winning the game by a score of 89-84.