In March, it's all about surviving and advancing, and Kentucky Basketball did just that on Wednesday afternoon. The Wildcats edged past LSU 87-82 in the First Round of the SEC Tournament, setting up a Second Round showdown with Missouri.
Several standout performances propelled Kentucky to victory. Let's dive into our Stars of the Game.
Stars of the Game
1. Brandon Garrison: 17 points (7-9 FG, 2-3 3-PT FG), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals in 26 minutes.
Brandon Garrison was the heartbeat of this win. In the second half, he took charge with back-to-back 3-pointers that turned the tide for Kentucky. With the Wildcats clinging to a narrow lead against the No. 16-seed LSU, Garrison's performance was pivotal.
Coach Mark Pope highlighted Garrison's tenacity, particularly his hustle play after a missed dunk, which led to a crucial free throw. Garrison isn’t typically known for his 3-point shooting, but his confidence in this high-stakes moment made all the difference.
2. Otega Oweh: 23 points (8-19 FG), 7-10 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal in 39 minutes.
Oweh was a workhorse, logging 39 minutes on the court. His endurance and leadership were on full display, providing the steady presence Kentucky needed from their star player.
Fatigue? Not in Oweh’s vocabulary.
3. Denzel Aberdeen: 16 points (6-13 FG, 1-5 3-PT FG), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal in 37 minutes.
Aberdeen was another ironman for the Wildcats, barely leaving the floor. His relentless play is exactly what Coach Pope will rely on throughout the postseason.
4. Mouhamed Dioubate: 7 points (3-6 FG), 7 rebounds, 2 assists in 21 minutes.
Dioubate’s contributions were crucial, especially in the second half. All of his points came when the game was tight, including a key and-one play. His gritty performance was a major talking point in the postgame press conference, underscoring his importance to the team.
5. Kam Williams: 3 points (1-3 3-PT FG), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal in 17 minutes.
Williams’ 3-pointer in the first half was met with a roar from Big Blue Nation. Returning from a broken foot, his presence was a testament to his resilience and had an uplifting effect on the team.
As Kentucky advances, these performances set the stage for what could be an exciting run in the SEC Tournament. The Wildcats showed they have the grit and talent to make some noise, and fans will be eager to see how they fare against Missouri.