Make it three straight games for Kentucky where the three-point jumper just wasn’t falling. After going 8-for-29 from deep against Western Kentucky and 7-for-26 against Georgia State, the Wildcats posted a season-low in three-point percentage with a margin of 25.9 percent (7-for-27) against Clemson on Tuesday night.

But unlike the first two games, Kentucky couldn’t overcome its lack of outside shooting in a 70-66 loss – its first of the 2024-25 season.

Actually, Mark PopeThe team couldn’t overcome the lack of shots from anywhere on the court. Kentucky finished with a margin of 38.1 percent, also its worst performance of the season. A score of 11:18 at the free throw line – again a season low – didn’t help either. 66 total points (on 70 possessions) was the lowest performance of the season with 11 points. UK scored a poor 11-24 in layups. Not a winning formula.

But Clemson didn’t shoot any better. The Tigers were worse from the field (36.9 percent) and only slightly better from distance (8-25).

Looking at the final box score, Kentucky and Clemson’s stats are actually quite similar. Both teams had 29 defensive rebounds and 15 offensive rebounds, for a total of 44 each. Second chance points, points in the paint and fast break points were either equal or within a few points of each other. There were 13 lead changes and four ties throughout the night.

However, this game was won in the first half with Clemson dominating through its physicality. The Tigers outran Kentucky by all means in the first 20 minutes. In the first half alone, Clemson was comfortably ahead in rebounds (31-21), offensive rebounds (13-7) and second-chance points (10-1). Ian Schiefelin Didn’t hit a single shot all night (4-for-20 from the field), but secured the highest strike rate of his career with 20 balls, 13 of which came in the first half.

Otega Oweh led Kentucky with 17 points and seven rebounds. Lamont Butler was right behind him with 16 points (6-9 FG, 2-4 3PT) and five assists. Jaxson Robinson Rounding out the double-digit scoring output was 12 points on 5-13 shooting, including a 2-7 mark from distance. Amari Williams With nine points and eleven rebounds, he almost achieved his third double-double of the season.

A total of 35 fouls were called, 20 of which went to Kentucky. The actual game lasted 2 hours and 25 minutes. Foul problems with Butler in the first half limited his impact. He finished the game with a team-best +17 despite only playing 19 minutes. Williams was second in plus/minus at +16.

Kentucky’s bench cost them more than anything else. Koby Brea, Kerr Kriisa, Brandon GarrisonAnd Ansley Almonor He contributed a total of seven points with a shooting performance of 3:13. Kriisa was a -21 in 21 minutes while Brea was a -15 in 17 minutes. Andrew Carr didn’t have a good night either. He finished with five points and five rebounds on 1-7 overall shooting.

This will be an experience to remember. More box score statistics can be found below.