Oweh's strong performance helps Kentucky bounce back
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Getting Otega Oweh back on track toward SEC Player of the Year expectations will be a major factor in Kentucky bouncing back from a frustrating start to the season.
The Wildcats’ senior guard scored a season-high 21 points and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds on Tuesday in leading Kentucky to a 103-67 win over North Carolina Central at Rupp Arena.
Oweh went 9-of-12 from the field, made three of his four attempts from beyond the arc, and also chipped in with four steals on the defensive end of the floor as Kentucky (6-4) attempted to pick up the pieces from a humbling 94-59 loss to Gonzaga last week.
“I thought he was great,” Kentucky head coach Mark Pope said. “… I think he’s really trying to rally the guys. He’s trying to show some leadership. You know, he played well on both ends of the ball tonight.”
“Otega is really important for us, and he’s carrying a big load. And he’s got to. That’s what you do, and that’s your job, and he’s going to continue to grow in that, and we need him to be great moving forward.”
It was a strong showing from UK’s backcourt as Pope chose to go with a small lineup against the Eagles. In addition to Oweh, the Cats got a career-high 22 points from freshman Jasper Johnson and 11 points from sophomore Trent Noah. The trio combined to knock down eight of 12 shots from the arc.
Freshman center Malachi Moreno chipped in with 14 points and seven rebounds, but it was Oweh’s play that led the highlights.
“We just had to get some intensity back,” Oweh said. “I’m just trying to set the tone. I feel like it kind of starts with me, you know, defensively, having a high motor.”
The game was never truly in doubt, although NC Central hung within 29-21 at the 8:08 mark of the first half. Kentucky used an 18-2 run to break the game open, leading 52-31 at halftime.
Kentucky led by as many as 39 points in the second half. Fan-favorite walk-on Zach Tow got in on the fun with his first bucket as a Wildcat, a 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining.
North Carolina Central (3-9) was led by senior forward Khouri Carvey with 15 points and sophomore guard Gage Lattimore with 14 points.
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In our regular postgame feature, Cats Illustrated touches on some quick-hitters from the UK victory…
GAME BALL:
Otega Oweh, Kentucky — The senior guard had his best game of the season, scoring 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field, pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, and recorded four steals while holding NC Central’s leading scorer, Gage Lattimore, to a 4-for-16 shooting night.
BY THE NUMBERS:
1st – Meeting between UK and NC Central.
1st – Wildcat to record at least 21 points, seven rebounds, and four steals in a game (Otega Oweh) since Willie Cauley-Stein did so on Dec. 5, 2014, against Texas.
1 of 5 – Kentuckians to score at least 22 points in a game as a freshman (Jasper Johnson), joining Reed Sheppard, Dontaie Allen, Rex Chapman, and Jack “Goose” Givens.
3rd – Time that UK has hit the century mark in scoring this season.
27 – Assists matched a season-high by the Cats. Collin Chandler dished out eight to lead UK.
61.9% – Field-goal percentage by Kentucky, matching its season-high.
QUOTABLE:
“It was justified. It gets to a point where we as players get sick and tired of you know, the same thing over and over again. So, I mean it was right in the moment.” — UK’s Otega Oweh on teammate Brandon Garrison being benched in the first half and never returning after failing to run back on defense after a turnover, drawing the ire of Mark Pope.
UP NEXT:
Kentucky returns to action on Saturday at Rupp Arena against Indiana. The Hoosiers (8-2, 1-1 Big Ten) routed Penn State 113-72 on Tuesday night in Bloomington, Ind, as one-time UK recruiting target Lamar Wilkerson scored 44 points and knocked down 10 3-pointers. Tipoff for UK and IU is scheduled for 7:30 ET on ESPN.