LEXINGTON – January 21, 2026 – Michael Willis
Slow starts have become far too common for Kentucky this season, often forcing the Wildcats to play catch-up for most of the game. Tonight at Rupp Arena, however, the Cats refused to let Texas pull away and earned an 85–80 victory.
It was a highly competitive contest featuring 11 lead changes and 11 ties. Kentucky never allowed the Longhorns to build more than a three-point lead and held the advantage for 29 minutes of game time.
The Wildcats showed improvement early, holding a 7–6 lead at the first TV timeout thanks to stronger defensive effort. A brief scoring lull allowed Texas to regain the lead, but back-to-back baskets by Otega Oweh put Kentucky back in front, 14–13. Neither team could create separation throughout the first half. Kentucky’s largest lead was five points before a 7–0 Texas run swung momentum back to the Longhorns. With the game seesawing throughout the half, it was fitting that the teams were tied 40–40 at the break.
Denzel Aberdeen and Oweh each scored 10 points in the first half to lead Kentucky, while Andrija Jelavic paced the Wildcats on the glass with five rebounds through the opening 20 minutes.
Kentucky came out of halftime on fire, opening the second half with an 8–0 run. Several questionable foul calls, however, prevented the lead from growing, and Texas pulled back within three after the first media timeout. Momentum shifted again when a flagrant foul was called against the Longhorns, sparking a decisive 13–4 run that gave Kentucky a 70–60 advantage.
Texas made one final push, but Collin Chandler answered with a scoring barrage, pouring in 14 of Kentucky’s next 15 points over a four-minute span.
Just when it appeared the Wildcats would cruise to the finish, Texas stormed back, cutting a 10-point Kentucky lead to just two with 56 seconds remaining. When the Longhorns were forced to foul, Aberdeen calmly knocked down five clutch free throws to seal the 85–80 win.
Aberdeen led the Wildcats with 19 points, followed closely by Oweh and Chandler with 18 apiece.
While they didn’t dominate the scoring column, Malachi Moreno and Jelavic made key contributions. Moreno led the team with six assists to go along with eight points, and Jelavic finished with a team-high seven rebounds.
Kentucky returns to action Saturday at Rupp Arena when Ole Miss visits for a noon tipoff.
