In a game that pitted Mark Pope against his former coach Rick Pitino in the CBS Sports Classic on December 20, 2025, Kentucky looked shaky early but found the key adjustment after halftime: unleashing their full, healthy roster. The result? A dominant second-half surge that turned a seven-point deficit into a convincing 78-66 victory over St. John’s in Atlanta
The first half was a struggle for the Wildcats. They shot a dismal 36% from the field, 17% from three, and turned the ball over 11 times, allowing St. John’s to score 16 points off those mistakes. An early injury scare added to the woes when point guard Jaland Lowe reinjured his shoulder just seconds after checking in, heading to the locker room and sparking fears of a long-term absence.
UK basketball guard Jaland Lowe leaves St. John’s game hurt …
Trailing by seven at the break, few expected what came next.
The adjustment? Bringing back a healthy Lowe and debuting freshman phenom Jayden Quaintance. The Wildcats exploded for 53 points in the second half, shooting 55% from the field and hitting 14-of-16 free throws. A 14-0 run flipped the game, leaving St. John’s reeling.
Quaintance, fresh off an ACL recovery, was the game-changer in his debut. The 18-year-old big man dominated the paint with shot alterations, rebounds, and thunderous dunks, often looking unstoppable.
Lowe’s return quieted the injury concerns as he dropped 13 points, three assists, and three rebounds in limited minutes. Otega Oweh led with 20 points, pouring in 11 after halftime, while Kam Williams knocked down crucial threes to stretch the defense.
This comeback mirrors Kentucky’s pattern in recent games—trailing by seven at halftime in back-to-back contests before outscoring opponents by a combined +38 in the second halves. With the roster now at full strength, the Wildcats’ potential looks sky-high, and Big Blue Nation is once again dreaming big.
