Kentucky
LSU
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (03/10/2026) — The Kentucky Wildcats survived a relentless offensive attack from the LSU Tigers, pulling away late in a physical back-and-forth affair to secure an 87-82 victory in the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena.
Guard Otega Oweh led a balanced Kentucky offense with 23 points and eight rebounds, but it was a crucial second-half surge from center Brandon Garrison that ultimately created the separation the Wildcats needed. LSU guard Max Mackinnon was brilliant in defeat, pouring in a game-high 28 points to keep the Tigers within striking distance until the final minutes.
How It Happened
The contest was a slugfest from the opening tip, featuring 13 lead changes and four ties. LSU struck first on a 10-foot jumper from Mike Nwoko just 11 seconds into the game. The first half unfolded as a high-paced shootout, with neither team establishing more than a possession or two of breathing room. The teams traded three-pointers in a flurry, with LSU’s Max Mackinnon and Marquel Sutton connecting from deep, answered by Kentucky’s Andrija Jelavic.
Kentucky created a small cushion midway through the half. Threes from Kam Williams at the 10:09 mark and a step-back from Collin Chandler at 7:42 helped build a lead. A Denzel Aberdeen three-pointer followed by a dunk on the next possession pushed the Wildcats' advantage to 37-28 with 5:21 left in the half, their largest lead of the period. But LSU refused to fold. The Tigers roared back, cutting the deficit to two before a Mackinnon three-pointer at the buzzer made it a 46-43 Kentucky lead heading into the locker room.
The second half began just as the first ended. LSU quickly tied the game at 47-47 on a dunk by Pablo Tamba less than two minutes in. For the next eight minutes, the lead swapped hands on nearly every possession. A layup from LSU's Rashad King at 15:31 gave the Tigers a 54-53 lead, which was immediately answered by Kentucky's Mouhamed Dioubate. Jumpers by Mackinnon and Sutton for LSU were countered by layups from Aberdeen and Garrison for Kentucky, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Turning Point
With the game hanging in the balance, Kentucky's Brandon Garrison took control. Trailing 64-65, the Wildcats' offense ignited. Garrison drained a 24-foot three-pointer with 10:41 remaining to give Kentucky a 68-64 lead it would not relinquish. Just 45 seconds later, Garrison struck again from beyond the arc, converting another 25-foot jumper to extend the lead to 71-64 and cap a decisive run. The back-to-back shots broke the stalemate and gave the Wildcats the momentum they needed to close out the game. Garrison later punctuated the performance with a dunk at the 6:54 mark, pushing the lead to 12.
Star of the Game
While several Wildcats had standout performances, guard Otega Oweh was the team's anchor. He finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, consistently providing a scoring threat from all over the floor. His ability to attack the rim and pull down key rebounds was critical in the tight contest.
For LSU, Max Mackinnon delivered a heroic performance with 28 points on efficient shooting, single-handedly keeping the Tigers in contention. Center Mike Nwoko was also a force in the paint, posting a powerful double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
What It Means
For the Kentucky Wildcats, the victory means advancing in the grueling SEC Tournament. The win demonstrated their offensive balance, with four players scoring in or near double digits, and their poise under pressure, committing only five turnovers in a high-possession game. They will look to build on this performance as they continue their postseason journey.
The loss marks a difficult end to the SEC Tournament for the LSU Tigers. Despite shooting 50% from the field and getting stellar individual efforts from Mackinnon and Nwoko, they were unable to get the defensive stops necessary in the game's most critical moments. The Tigers battled to the end in a contest that showcased the competitive depth of the Southeastern Conference.