If you turned off the TV at halftime, nobody would’ve blamed you. Seriously. Kentucky looked like they were running through wet concrete in the first half against LSU. But if you’re asking who won the uk basketball game, the answer is a lot more exciting than that ugly 22-point first-half performance suggested.
Kentucky pulled off a 75-74 stunner in Baton Rouge.
It wasn't just a win; it was a total heist. We’re talking about an 18-point second-half comeback that ended with a freshman, Malachi Moreno, hitting a shot at the buzzer to silence the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. If you follow the Cats, you know this season has been a bit of a rollercoaster under Mark Pope, but this specific game felt like a turning point for a team that desperately needed some road grit.
How the Kentucky vs. LSU Game Went Down
The first twenty minutes were, honestly, a disaster. Kentucky shot 27% from the floor. You read that right. Twenty-seven percent. They couldn't buy a bucket, and they went into the locker room trailing 38-22. LSU was playing like a team possessed, while the Cats looked lost without Jaland Lowe, who we recently found out is out for the season after shoulder surgery.
Then the second half started.
Something clicked. Otega Oweh, who has been an absolute rock for this roster, decided he wasn't losing. He ended up with 21 points, marking his 20th straight game in double figures. Kentucky didn't just slowly chip away; they exploded, shooting 65% in the second half. They finally took their first lead with just under four minutes left.
🔗 Read more: Who Won the Golf Tournament This Weekend: Richard T. Lee and the 2026 Season Kickoff
But it came down to the final second.
LSU's Pablo Tamba missed two free throws with 1.6 seconds left on the clock. It was the opening Kentucky needed. After a timeout, Collin Chandler threw a cross-court dart to Moreno. The big man caught it, turned, and let it fly.
Swish. Game over. Cats win.
The Impact of This Win on the SEC Standings
People were starting to worry. Before this game, Kentucky was 1-2 in the SEC, coming off a rough loss to Missouri and a blowout win over Mississippi State. A loss here would have dropped them to 1-3 in the conference, which is a dangerous place to be if you’re eyeing a decent seed in March.
Instead, they moved to 11-6 overall and 2-2 in the league.
💡 You might also like: The Truth About the Memphis Grizzlies Record 2025: Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
It's the kind of win that builds "character," though most fans would probably prefer they just play better in the first half so we don't all have heart attacks. The bench depth is being tested heavily right now. With Jayden Quaintance and Davis-Fleming also sidelined recently, the rotation is getting thin.
Why This Game Mattered More Than Most
- Road Woes: This was Kentucky’s first true road win of the season. Winning at Rupp is one thing, but winning in a hostile SEC environment after being down by nearly 20? That’s different.
- The Freshman Factor: Malachi Moreno hasn't always looked like "the guy" yet, but hitting a game-winner like that changes a player's confidence forever.
- Survival: Without Jaland Lowe, the offense has to find a new identity. Denzel Aberdeen stepped up with 17 points, showing he might be the secondary scoring threat they need.
What Most Fans Are Missing About the Stats
If you just look at the final score, you see a one-point win. But look at the shooting splits. Kentucky went 8-of-11 from three-point range in the second half. That is unsustainable "video game" shooting, but it shows that when this team gets hot, they are incredibly dangerous.
LSU actually out-rebounded Kentucky 32-29. Usually, when the Cats lose the battle on the glass, they lose the game. They survived this time because they forced turnovers at the right moments and finally started moving the ball.
The defense is still a bit of a "kinda-sorta" situation. They let Marquel Sutton and Max Mackinnon get way too many open looks early on. If they play like that against Tennessee or Arkansas, they won’t have the luxury of a 53-point second half to bail them out.
Looking Ahead: Can They Keep the Momentum?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. Next up is a massive showdown in Knoxville against Tennessee. The Vols are currently ranked No. 24 and are undefeated at home this year. Otega Oweh already said in post-game interviews that they can't afford another slow start.
📖 Related: The Division 2 National Championship Game: How Ferris State Just Redrew the Record Books
"We know what it takes now," Oweh told reporters. But "knowing" and "doing" are two different things when you’re facing a Rick Barnes defense.
Actionable Takeaways for the Next Game
If you're watching the next UK game, keep an eye on these three specific things:
- The First Five Minutes: If Kentucky falls behind by double digits early again, it’s a sign the "slow start" bug hasn't been fixed.
- Moreno's Touches: See if Pope runs more sets for Malachi early to capitalize on his confidence from the LSU winner.
- Rotation Watch: Watch how many minutes the freshmen get. With the injuries piling up, guys like Collin Chandler are going to have to play 30+ minutes a night.
The answer to who won the uk basketball game is Kentucky, but the real story is how they did it. It was ugly, it was stressful, and it was exactly what this team needed to stay alive in the SEC race. If they can figure out how to play two halves of basketball instead of one, the rest of the conference better watch out.
Keep an eye on the injury report for the Tennessee game, as the health of the frontcourt will likely decide if this win was a fluke or a foundation.