Georgia Ends 13-Year Drought, Defeats Kentucky at Rupp Arena

Bulldogs snap 12-game losing streak in Lexington with 86-78 victory over Wildcats

Feb. 21, 2026 at 4:23am

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The Georgia Bulldogs earned a rare road victory over the Kentucky Wildcats, winning 86-78 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. This was Georgia's first win in Lexington since 2009, snapping a 12-game losing streak at the iconic arena. Jordan Prather led the Bulldogs with 20 points, while Jeremiah Wilkinson added 19 points. Kentucky was led by Otega Oweh's 28 points, but the Wildcats shot just 60% from the free-throw line and committed 13 turnovers in the loss.

Why it matters

This victory is a significant milestone for the Georgia basketball program, which has struggled to win at Rupp Arena, one of the toughest road environments in college basketball. The win also keeps Georgia's NCAA Tournament hopes alive, as they look to secure a spot in the Big Dance.

The details

Georgia jumped out to an early lead, but Kentucky responded with a 7-0 run to go up 25-17. The Bulldogs battled back, taking a 39-34 lead at halftime. In the second half, Georgia extended its advantage to as many as 11 points, but Kentucky made several runs to cut the deficit to as little as one. However, the Bulldogs were able to hold on for the 86-78 victory.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Georgia's last win at Rupp Arena came on March 4, 2009, a span of 13 years.

The players

Jordan Prather

Georgia's leading scorer with 20 points in the victory.

Jeremiah Wilkinson

Scored 19 points for the Bulldogs.

Otega Oweh

Kentucky's leading scorer with 28 points in the loss.

Collin Chandler

Scored 18 points for the Wildcats.

Denzel Aberdeen

Contributed 14 points for Kentucky.

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What they’re saying

“This is a huge win for our program. To come into Rupp Arena and get a victory is something we've been working towards for a long time.”

— Jordan Prather

What’s next

Georgia will look to build on this momentum as they continue their SEC schedule, while Kentucky will try to bounce back from the home loss.

The takeaway

Georgia's victory at Rupp Arena is a testament to the progress the Bulldogs have made under their head coach. The win not only keeps their NCAA Tournament hopes alive, but it also shows that they can compete with the top teams in the SEC on the road.