In a historic matchup at Rupp Arena on March 1, 2025, the No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats faced a formidable challenge against the top-ranked Auburn Tigers, culminating in a 94-78 loss. This defeat marked Auburn’s first victory in Lexington since 1988, snapping a 20-game losing streak at Kentucky’s home court.
Auburn’s guard, Miles Kelly, delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a season-high 30 points and sinking a career-best nine 3-pointers. His sharpshooting was complemented by teammates Chad Baker-Mazara and Tahaad Pettiford, who added 22 and 21 points, respectively. This collective effort secured Auburn at least a share of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular-season title, improving their record to 27-2 overall and 15-1 in the SEC.
Kentucky, now 19-10 overall and 8-8 in the SEC, struggled to find their rhythm. The Wildcats faced a significant scoring drought, going nearly 13 minutes without a field goal, which allowed Auburn to extend their lead decisively. The absence of star player Jaxson Robinson, sidelined due to a wrist injury requiring season-ending surgery, further hampered Kentucky’s offensive capabilities.
The game also experienced an unusual interruption when a generator fire caused ABC’s broadcast to cut out for most of the second half, leaving viewers without live coverage during a critical juncture.
This loss serves as a wake-up call for Kentucky as they prepare for their upcoming game against LSU. Head coach Mark Pope acknowledged the team’s lack of energy and took responsibility for the performance, emphasizing the need to regroup and focus on the challenges ahead.
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