Ohio State prevails, but Sestina says Kentucky is ‘starting to click’
Nate Sestina called Kentucky-Ohio State “a big toughness game.”
Ohio State big man Kaleb Wesson called it “a 40-minute grind.”
Kentucky stood up to the test, buoyed by Nate Sestina’s startling transformation. But Ohio State showed it’s a good team, too.
Kentucky lost 71-65 on Saturday in a game that had no losers. Ohio State showed why it’s ranked No. 5 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll and stood at No. 3 in the NCAA Evaluation Tool ratings and No. 2 in Ken Pomeroy’s national ratings.
“Ohio State played their butts off,” UK Coach John Calipari said. “They played to win the game.”
Kentucky, now 8-3, came feeling significant progress had been made. After the loss to Utah three nights earlier, it was hard to argue.
“This was a big toughness game for us,” Sestina said, referencing a key component that Calipari has repeatedly stressed. “I think we’re starting to click.”
Sestina provided the biggest individual player surprise. Three days after going scoreless against Utah in his first game back from a broken left wrist, he broke out for a season-high 17 points and equaled the career-high five three-pointers he made for Bucknell in a game last season.
Sestina said he was “hesitant” against Utah, conscious of his injury. He credited advice from UK coaches for this star turn. The advice? “Just go out and play,” he said, “and don’t think about it.”
Calipari said Sestina’s 5-for-8 three-point shooting was contagious. But Sestina’s teammates made only two 15 shots from three-point range.
Though surely a good sign for the future, Sestina’s shooting did not prevent a defeat this night. Ohio State made repeated big plays at both ends of the floor. None seemed bigger than the three-pointer CJ Walker made as the shot clock buzzed with 26.6 seconds left. That increased OSU’s lead to 67-59.
After the loss to Utah, Calipari spoke of his players being insufficiently aggressive. “If you’re not a dog, what are you here?” he said. “These guys are learning it.”
Judging by the foul calls, Kentucky showed a willingness to fight. But the execution — at least in the judgment of the referees — was open to question.
Kentucky committed 13 fouls in the first half. That nearly matched UK’s average of 15.4 per game, which ranked as the 13th fewest in the country. UK finished with a season-high 25 fouls.
The referees whistled UK for six fouls before the first television timeout. Ohio State shot the one-and-one for the first time at the 12:28 mark and was eligible for the double bonus in the final 7:40.
As a result, Ohio State outscored Kentucky 12-4 in first-half free-throw points and 21-7 for the game. Going into the game, UK had nearly doubled the opposition’s total of made free throws (182-89).
Sestina came to the rescue. Not looking anything like the player who in his own admission had to “shake off rust” against Utah here three nights earlier, he hit three three-pointers in the first half. That matched his total of the season (he had been three of 13) and gave UK a credible shooting threat from the perimeter. His teammates missed all seven of their three-point shots.
Sestina’s final three-pointer of the half brought UK within 37-36 at the break.
Ashton Hagans matched Sestina’s 11 first-half points. He also handed out three assists.
Kentucky got off to a rocky start in the second half. The Cats committed two turnovers and shot an air-ball three-pointer in its first possession. When Ohio State took a 40-36 lead, Calipari called time with 18:01 left.
UK missed its next four shots and added another turnover when Maxey charged, his second charge of the half and his third foul.
Sestina — who else this night? — steadied UK. His fourth three-pointer with 16:32 left was Kentucky’s first basket and narrowed the deficit to 40-39.
Ohio State refused to yield. Even Sestina’s fifth three, which equaled his previous career high (five against Boston University for Bucknell on Jan. 5, 2019) did not seem to faze the Buckeyes.
Back-to-back scoring possessions increased Ohio State’s lead to 49-44. And when Maxey appeared headed for a transition layup, Andre Wesson’s high-rising block from behind drew oohs from the crowd.
Kentucky also refused to yield. That set up the possession-by-possession battle of wills down the stretch.
Next game
No. 3 Louisville at No. 6 Kentucky
3:45 p.m. Saturday (CBS-27)
This story was originally published December 21, 2019 at 9:38 PM.
