The Kentucky Wildcats headed out west for a date with the Gonzaga Bulldogs in Seattle this evening. In what was a 45-minute thriller, the Cats pull out the win in overtime, 90-89.
With a late start out here on the East Coast, the pace of this game surely kept everyone awake. Whether it was the Zags or the Cats, the teams were flying up the court, finishing at the rim and shooting the three.
Unfortunately for the Cats, they once again had no answer for Graham Ike. The talented Gonzaga big man dominated in the paint and on the glass and helped lead the Bulldogs to a 16-point lead heading into the locker room, 50-34.
The first half was dreadful for Kentucky, and the second half was anything but that. For the second straight game, the Cats got dominated physically in the first half, and coming out for the second straight game, the in-game adjustments got the Cats right back into it.
What a win for this Kentucky team, especially shorthanded with Lamont Butler out for the entire game and Kerr Kriisa out for the majority of the second half.
We got a team, folks.
GO CATS!
Highlights
Box Score
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25779523/Screenshot_2024_12_08_005835.png)
Game MVP
We could give this award tonight to several people, but without Andrew Carr that second half comeback doesn’t even happen.
He finished the night with 19 points on 8 of 12 shooting. He also added seven rebounds, three assists, and a block.
Add another major game that Carr has performed in for the Cats. After a great performance against Duke to kick off the season, he followed that up with another killer effort tonight in Seattle.
The Cats have been looking for a guy to go to when they need a bucket. I think Carr is starting to separate himself from that title.
Also, a shoutout to Jaxson Robinson. It is not easy running point guard duties when asked to mid-game, and he crushed it. That’s the guy many in the BBN thought they were getting when he came to Lexington, and tonight, he showed us just that.
Kentucky vs. Gonzaga Twitter Reactions
Kentucky is getting absolutely torched defensively and manhandled at the rim
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) December 8, 2024
That might be the weakest technical I have ever seen
— Ethan DeWitt (@EthanDeWitt1) December 8, 2024
“Officials have clamped down on that nonsense all year.”
…. yelling and-one? Give me a break.
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) December 8, 2024
Gonzaga is better than Kentucky. We know that without Lamont Butler.
The ‘Cats will keep competing and we will see what happens. There are runs to be made in this game.
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) December 8, 2024
Way too easy for Gonzaga in the first half. Got whatever they wanted. Andrew Nembhard and Graham Ike absolutely dominating.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) December 8, 2024
If Otega would have made that dunk my wife would have be woken up to hear all about how awesome it was.
— Big Blue Drew (@BigBlueDrew33) December 8, 2024
In the last 2 games, Owen has had 4 wide open threes that could have been game changers and none of them have been close
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) December 8, 2024
We need continuation in college basketball. Felt like that Amari Williams bucket didn’t need continuation.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) December 8, 2024
Mark Pope on switching up defensive looks in the second half: “Well, it’s easy to make that decision when you’re getting cooked.”
— Ryan Black (@RyanABlack) December 8, 2024
Final: Kentucky 90, Gonzaga 89.
It’s hard to fathom what this Kentucky team is doing. So much chemistry and mental toughness for a group of guys who didn’t know each other at all 6 months ago. They already have wins over Duke and Gonzaga and it’s only early December. https://t.co/8nSPqBEhR8
— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) December 8, 2024
Gonzaga had won 175 straight games when leading by 10 or more at halftime.
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) December 8, 2024
Largest halftime deficits in a win for @KentuckyMBB in school history:
– 16 points vs. Gonzaga (December 7th, 2024)
– 16 points at Louisville (December 18th, 2004)
– 16 points at LSU (February 15th, 1994)
— Corey Price (@coreyp08) December 8, 2024
Andrew Carr could’ve easily stood there and watched after missing both free throws. Instead, he got back on defense and made the game-winning stop.
Didn’t let the last play impact the next one!
— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) December 8, 2024
Want more A Sea Of Blue coverage? Then follow our Twitter page and like us on Facebook to get all the latest Kentucky Wildcats news and views. And Go CATS!
