In a thrilling matchup at Reed Arena in College Station, Texas, the No. 6 Kentucky Wildcats fell short against the Texas A&M Aggies, losing 97-92 in overtime. Despite a late rally in regulation, the Cats couldn’t overcome their opponents.
Antonio Reeves led the way for Kentucky, scoring 22 points, including 5 three-pointers out of 10 attempts. D.J. Wagner also made his presence felt with 18 points and four assists. Rob Dillingham contributed 15 points, while Reed Sheppard added 13 points, six rebounds, and three steals.
Early in the game, the Aggies showcased their shooting prowess, building a 15-8 lead with some impressive three-pointers. However, Kentucky battled back and tied the game with a seven-point run, including a three-pointer from Reeves.
Texas A&M responded with an 11-3 run, taking an eight-point lead at 26-18. The Wildcats fought back once again, thanks to a three-pointer from Justin Edwards and layups from Dillingham and Wagner, closing the gap to four points.
But every time Kentucky made a surge, the Aggies had an answer. A&M scored seven straight points to push their lead to 38-27 with 5:20 left in the half. The Cats managed to chip away at the deficit and took the lead before halftime with a clutch three-pointer from Reeves, making it 45-44. However, Wade Taylor’s free throws gave the Aggies a slim 46-45 advantage heading into the break.
The Wildcats started the second half strong, retaking the lead with another three-pointer from Reeves. Edwards added to the momentum by hitting a three of his own, giving Kentucky a 51-49 lead.
From that point on, the game was a nail-biter, with five ties throughout the remaining regulation. Kentucky found themselves down by five late in the game, but Dillingham’s three consecutive three-pointers tied the score at 87-87. In the final seconds, Sheppard was fouled and calmly sank both free throws, forcing the game into overtime.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they struggled to find their rhythm in the extra period. Kentucky missed all eight of their shots from the field, only managing three points from free throws.
Looking ahead, the Cats will aim to bounce back when they face Mississippi State at Rupp Arena on Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.
