At halftime in a high-energy showdown between Kentucky and Oklahoma, it’s the Wildcats who have seized the momentum, riding into the break with a strong 8-0 run and a 43-32 lead. What started as a back-and-forth battle quickly turned into a showcase of Kentucky's offensive rhythm and defensive adjustments.
Collin Chandler has been the tone-setter for Kentucky, putting up nine points on 3-of-7 shooting. He’s not lighting it up, but he’s been steady and timely - exactly what you want from a guy leading the charge.
Behind him, there’s a well-balanced attack: Otega Oweh, Denzel Aberdeen, Andrija Jelavic, and Mo Dioubate have each chipped in six points, while Jasper Johnson added five and Brandon Garrison four. That’s seven players making an impact on the scoreboard - a clear sign of the Wildcats’ depth and unselfish ball movement.
The efficiency numbers tell the story. Kentucky is shooting a crisp 46.7% from the field, but where they’ve really separated is beyond the arc - 56.3% from three, with five different players hitting from deep, including three with multiple makes.
When you’ve got that many shooters clicking, it stretches the floor and forces defenses into tough decisions. Add in a solid 75% from the free-throw line, and it’s a complete offensive performance through 20 minutes.
Defensively, Kentucky has tightened the screws after a loose start. Oklahoma came out trading buckets, but the Sooners have cooled off significantly.
They’re now shooting just 36.7% from the field and a rough 21.4% from three. The Wildcats have clearly made some adjustments, closing out harder on shooters and making life more difficult in the halfcourt.
Tae Davis leads Oklahoma with nine points, doing his best to keep the Sooners in it. Dayton Forsythe has added seven, and Derrion Reid has six.
But the real concern for Oklahoma is the quiet night from their top scorers. Nijel Pack and Xzayvier Brown - two of the Sooners’ go-to guys this season - have only combined for eight points on 2-of-8 shooting.
If Oklahoma’s going to mount a second-half comeback, they’ll need those two to come alive in a hurry.
There’s still 20 minutes left, and this one’s far from over. But if Kentucky keeps shooting like this and maintains their defensive intensity, they’ll be tough to catch. The Wildcats are chasing their seventh win in eight games, and right now, they’re playing like a team that knows exactly what it takes to close the door.