No. 4 Kentucky Overcomes 18-Point Deficit to Stun No. 7 Gonzaga in OT Thriller
SEATTLE — In a game that featured dramatic swings, clutch performances, and a thrilling overtime finish, No. 4 Kentucky completed an incredible comeback, erasing an 18-point second-half deficit to defeat No. 7 Gonzaga 90-89 on Saturday night.
The victory, which came in front of a raucous crowd at the Battle in Seattle, was a statement win for the Wildcats (8-2) following a loss to Clemson earlier in the week. They trailed by as many as 18 points after the break but stormed back to tie the game at 79 in the final minute of regulation before edging the Bulldogs (7-3) in overtime.
Kentucky’s Andrew Carr played a pivotal role in the comeback, contributing 19 points and proving instrumental in key moments during the closing minutes. Carr’s jumper with 49 seconds left in regulation helped tie the game at 79, setting the stage for an exciting finish.
In overtime, Otega Oweh’s fast-break layup gave Kentucky its first lead since early in the first half, putting the Wildcats up 81-79. Amari Williams added a dunk shortly after, and despite a late 3-pointer from Gonzaga’s Nolan Hickman that pulled the Bulldogs within one, Kentucky held firm.
Carr secured the win for the Wildcats with a crucial offensive rebound and putback in the final minute of overtime, extending Kentucky’s lead to 88-83. After Gonzaga responded with another three to make it 86-83, Carr answered with a second-chance basket, pushing Kentucky’s lead to three and ultimately securing the victory.
"I’m just proud of our guys for sticking together after being down by so much," said Kentucky head coach John Calipari. "We kept fighting, kept trusting each other, and we were able to come through when it mattered most. It was a total team effort."
A Tale of Two Halves
The game unfolded in two distinct halves. Gonzaga, behind the dominant play of Graham Ike, surged to a 50-34 lead early in the second half. Ike finished with a game-high 28 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Bulldogs maintain control for most of the game. The 6-foot-9 forward was nearly unstoppable in the paint, scoring at will and grabbing crucial boards to limit Kentucky’s second-chance opportunities.
However, Kentucky’s resolve began to show as the second half wore on. Despite the large deficit, the Wildcats remained composed, chipping away at Gonzaga’s lead with timely shooting and solid defense. A key turning point came when Kentucky’s defense began to stifle Gonzaga’s offense, and the Wildcats’ offense found its rhythm, highlighted by Carr’s late jumper to tie the game.
A Familiar Heartbreak for Gonzaga
For Gonzaga, the loss marked the third consecutive defeat in the Battle in Seattle, continuing a frustrating trend in their recent matchups in the event. The Bulldogs lost to Alabama in 2021 and UConn in 2023, and this heartbreaking overtime defeat to Kentucky adds to their disappointment in the prestigious series.
“We’ve been in these types of games before, but we just couldn’t make enough plays tonight,” said Gonzaga head coach Mark Few. “Graham Ike was fantastic for us, but we just couldn’t get enough stops down the stretch.”
Gonzaga’s struggles from beyond the arc were also a factor in the loss. The Bulldogs, who typically rely on a high-powered perimeter attack, made only three 3-pointers in regulation and found it difficult to generate consistent offense in the final minutes.
Key Stats and Moments
Key Stat: Prior to Saturday’s game, Gonzaga had won 175 consecutive games when leading by double digits at halftime. That streak was broken in dramatic fashion, as Kentucky's resilience wore down the Bulldogs.
Key Moment: Carr’s clutch offensive rebound and putback in overtime was a pivotal moment, allowing Kentucky to extend its lead to three points. His second-chance bucket came after Gonzaga had cut the Wildcats’ lead to just three, and it was the dagger that ultimately sealed the win.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Kentucky moves to 8-2 on the season, showing their ability to bounce back after a tough loss to Clemson earlier in the week. Next up for the Wildcats is a home matchup with Colgate on Wednesday, where they’ll look to build momentum and continue to refine their play before heading into the heart of their SEC schedule.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga, now 7-3, faces another challenging test next Saturday as they travel to Madison Square Garden to take on No. 25 UConn in a marquee matchup. The Bulldogs will need to regroup quickly after this gut-wrenching loss and be ready for a tough road trip.
Final Score:
No. 4 Kentucky 90, No. 7 Gonzaga 89 (OT)
Key Performers:
Kentucky: Andrew Carr (19 points, 7 rebounds)
Gonzaga: Graham Ike (28 points, 11 rebounds)
Up Next:
Kentucky vs. Colgate (Wednesday)
Gonzaga at No. 25 UConn (Saturday)
Cameron Williams
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Senior Writer
