The Jaland Lowe-Jayden Quaintance duo shined in Kentucky's comeback win

Up until this point, it had been difficult to properly explain just how important it was for Kentucky to get everyone fully healthy. This was already a deep (and expensive) roster with high expectations, one that was struggling against quality opponents. How much of an impact could a couple of healthy players really have?

After the Wildcats’ 78-66 win over No. 22 St. John’s on Saturday in Atlanta, the numbers say it was critical.

Jaland Lowe and Jayden Quaintance, the latter making his season debut, didn’t play a single second together until the second half of this game. Lowe had to check out early after appearing to re-injure his already hampered non-shooting shoulder. He saw seven seconds of game time before having to run back to the locker room, which is where he would stay for the rest of the first half. Quaintance would make his season debut a couple of minutes later, although his playing time was limited, as well.

But that duo of an All-SEC-caliber point guard and a future lottery pick center finally connected in the second half. They unleashed hell on Rick Pitino and the Johnnies.

Lowe saw 15 second-half minutes compared to 14 for Quaintance. Lowe went for 13 points, three assists, and three rebounds in that span while Quaintance added eight points (4-5 FG), six rebounds, and a block. But the most impressive stat? Lowe was a +20 in the second half. Quaintance was a +17. Down seven at halftime, Kentucky outscored St. John’s by 19 in the second half, in large part due to those two combining to be a +37.

Oddly enough, having two starter-level players soaking up big minutes makes a notable difference…

Kentucky leaders in +/- with 36 minutes played:

Jayden Quaintance +18 in 13 minutes
Jaland Lowe +17 in 11 minutes

These two at the 1 and the 5 provides a dynamic for Kentucky that is unmatched.

— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) December 20, 2025

It wasn’t only Lowe and Quaintance, though, even if they were the sparkplugs. Otega Oweh and Kam Williams deserve some love. Those two posted 11 second-half points each. After struggling from deep to begin the season, Williams knocked down two huge three-pointers. Oweh turned into a bull, shooting 5-5 from the line with a couple of steals after halftime. Oweh was +12 in 17 second-half minutes. Williams was +16 in 13 minutes.

But the game balls from this win go to Lowe and Quaintance. Having one guy who can truly run the offense and another who is an elite-level defender on the floor together completely changes the game for any team — even if UK still can’t shoot the ball from deep.

It just took Kentucky until the 12th game of the season before they were healthy enough to make it happen.

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