Auburn ends 5-game skid, deals Kentucky 3rd straight loss

KeShawn Murphy's double-double and Elyjah Freeman's late tip-in lift Tigers over Wildcats, 75-74

Feb. 22, 2026 at 5:34am

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KeShawn Murphy scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Elyjah Freeman tipped in a missed shot with 1.4 seconds left as Auburn ended a five-game losing streak by handing Kentucky its third straight loss, winning 75-74 on Saturday night.

Why it matters

The win snaps a tough stretch for Auburn, which had lost five in a row. Kentucky, meanwhile, has now dropped three straight games, raising questions about the Wildcats' postseason prospects.

The details

Murphy made 9 of 14 shots, including a 3-pointer, and all six of his free throws for the Tigers. Freeman added 11 points off the bench. For Kentucky, Otega Oweh had a career-high 29 points and seven rebounds, while Denzel Aberdeen scored 15 and Collin Chandler had 10. The game was close throughout, with Auburn using a 12-0 run in the second half to take the lead before Kentucky rallied late.

  • The game was played on Saturday night.
  • Auburn ended a five-game losing streak with the win.
  • Kentucky has now lost three straight games.

The players

KeShawn Murphy

A key player for Auburn, scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the win.

Elyjah Freeman

Came off the bench to score 11 points, including the game-winning tip-in for Auburn.

Otega Oweh

Led Kentucky with a career-high 29 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This game highlighted the back-and-forth nature of the SEC this season, with Auburn snapping its skid and Kentucky continuing to struggle. The win could provide a much-needed boost for the Tigers, while the Wildcats will look to regroup ahead of their upcoming matchup with South Carolina.