Clemson outlasts Kentucky in the back-and-forth game

Otega Oweh had 17 points and seven rebounds, but No. 4 Kentucky suffered its first loss of the season on Tuesday, falling 70-66 at Clemson.

Lamont Butler had 16 points and five assists for the Cats, while Jaxson Robinson had 12 points for UK.

Kentucky (7-1) scored first with a Robinson three-pointer. After Clemson hit two free throws, Butler drove down the lane, scored and was fouled. He made the free throw early to make it 6-2.

While Kentucky led 7-5, the Cats scored four straight goals to lead 11-5. However, Clemson scored the next seven goals and led for the first time, 12-11. However, a three-pointer from Koby Brea would put Great Britain back in front 14-12 with 13-11 left in the first half. Andrew Carr hit a three-pointer to make it 17-12, but Clemson quickly answered with a three-pointer of its own and the score was 17-15.

Two Oweh free throws gave UK a 19-15 lead, but Clemson scored the next eight points to lead 23-19, but UK answered with a run of its own. A Robinson three-pointer, a Butler layup, an Oweh steal and dunk and an Oweh jumper led to a 9-0 Kentucky run that gave the Cats a 28-23 lead with 5:45 left in the game half time.

Clemson (8-1) then scored the next 10 points to lead 33-28 before UK got a layup from Ansley Almonor. However, Clemson scored the final four points of the half and the Tigers led 37-30 at halftime.

In the second half, Kentucky scored first with an Oweh three-pointer. After a basket by Clemson, UK got a layup from Amari Williams, followed by a fast break layup from Oweh, making the score 39-37. After a three-pointer from Clemson, the Cats got a layup from Brandon Garrison after a lob from Butler, cutting the deficit to 42-39.

Another Oweh basket brought UK within one point and a Williams basket gave the Cats a 43-42 lead. After two free throws from the Tigers, Robinson hit a basket to give Kentucky a 45-44 lead. But again Clemson came back with a score and led 46-45.

The back-and-forth continued as Butler scored at the basket to give UK a 47-46 lead. Clemson would make a sure three-pointer and take a 49-47 lead. Carr tied the game with two free throws, but the Tigers responded with a basket for a 51-49 lead. However, Butler hit a three-pointer and Great Britain retook the lead at 52-51 with 10:57 left.

Clemson scored the next five points to lead 56-52 before Oweh hit two free throws to make it 56-54 with 8:13 left. However, Clemson scored the next five goals to take a 61-54 lead. Williams converted the post to put the Cats within five, then Robinson scored on a putback to cut the deficit to 61-58 with 5:25 to play.

The Tigers responded again, scoring the next five points to lead 66-58. A layup by Robinson cut UK’s deficit to 66-60. A Williams basket at the rim brought the Cats within four, 66-62. Clemson hit two free throws to make it 68-62. A Butler free throw and later a three-pointer made it 68-66 with two seconds left. The Tigers secured the final victory with two free throws.

Some additional notes about the game:

• UK held Clemson to a shooting percentage of 24-for-65 (32%). Kentucky has held seven of its eight opponents under 40 percent shooting from the field this season
• The contest featured four draws and 13 lead changes
• The rebound duel ended inconclusive with both
The squad totaled 44 rebounds – 29 on defense and 15 on offense
• Great Britain had a 13-10 advantage in second chance points and won color points 30-26