Atlanta, December 22, 2025
In a crucial college basketball match, the Kentucky Wildcats defeated St. John’s 78-66 in Atlanta. Otega Oweh led Kentucky with 20 points, while Jayden Quaintance made a strong debut post-injury. The Wildcats showcased a strong second-half defense, allowing them to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes and secure the win. Rick Pitino faced his former team for the first time since 2016, bringing historical significance to the matchup. The game generated excitement among the pro-Kentucky crowd, further enhancing the Wildcats’ performance.
ATLANTA — The Kentucky Wildcats achieved a 78-66 victory over St. John’s on December 20, 2025, in Atlanta, marking their first encounter with former coach Rick Pitino since 2016. The second half was pivotal for Kentucky, as they strengthened their defense, completing a 14-0 run and preventing St. John’s from making a field goal for nearly nine minutes, allowing the Wildcats to turn a 41-33 deficit into a comfortable double-digit lead.
Otega Oweh, a senior forward, led Kentucky with 20 points, while sophomore forward Jayden Quaintance made an impact in his debut after recovering from a knee injury, adding 10 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. For St. John’s, graduate student forward/guard Bryce Hopkins was the leading scorer with 13 points.
Coaching against his former school, Rick Pitino, who took Kentucky to a national championship in 1996, stated that facing off against Kentucky felt routine, with fewer emotions compared to a game at Rupp Arena in Lexington. The game also featured a meeting between Pitino and current Kentucky head coach Mark Pope, a captain of Pitino’s championship team, making Pope the third former Pitino player to secure a win against him, following Travis Ford and Steve Masiello.
This matchup was significant as it was the first between Kentucky and Pitino since his departure from Louisville in 2016.
Kentucky will next clash with Bellarmine on December 23, 2025, while St. John’s is scheduled to host Harvard on the same day. The matchup in Atlanta was part of a college basketball doubleheader, with a notably supportive crowd for Kentucky, often referred to as “Cat-Lanta” due to the Wildcats’ historical successes in the city, boosting their performance, particularly that of Quaintance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What was the final score of the Kentucky vs. St. John’s game?
The final score was Kentucky 78, St. John’s 66.
2. Who led Kentucky in scoring during the game?
Senior forward Otega Oweh led Kentucky with 20 points.
3. How did Jayden Quaintance perform in his debut?
Sophomore forward Jayden Quaintance, making his debut after recovering from a knee injury, contributed 10 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.
4. What was Rick Pitino’s reaction to facing his former team?
Rick Pitino stated that facing his former school felt like just another game, noting that he might have felt more emotions if the game had been at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
5. When is Kentucky’s next game?
Kentucky’s next game is scheduled against Bellarmine on December 23, 2025.
6. When is St. John’s next game?
St. John’s will host Harvard on December 23, 2025.
7. What was the significance of the game in Atlanta?
The game was part of a college basketball doubleheader in Atlanta, with Kentucky’s victory over St. John’s preceding another matchup.
8. How did the crowd in Atlanta react to Jayden Quaintance’s performance?
The pro-Kentucky crowd in Atlanta, often referred to as “Cat-Lanta” due to the Wildcats’ long-standing success in the city, was energized by Quaintance’s performance.
Key Features of the Kentucky vs. St. John’s Game
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Final Score | Kentucky 78, St. John’s 66 |
| Leading Scorer for Kentucky | Otega Oweh with 20 points |
| Notable Performance | Jayden Quaintance’s debut with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks |
| Rick Pitino’s Reaction | Felt it was just another game, with no special emotions |
| Historical Significance | First meeting between Kentucky and Rick Pitino since 2016 |
| Next Game for Kentucky | Against Bellarmine on December 23, 2025 |
| Next Game for St. John’s | Hosting Harvard on December 23, 2025 |
| Game Location | Atlanta, part of a college basketball doubleheader |
| Crowd Reaction | Pro-Kentucky crowd energized by Quaintance’s performance |
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