Kentucky entered Saturday’s matchup against top-ranked Auburn looking for a signature win but struggled from the start. Auburn came out strong, quickly building a double-digit lead by the first media timeout. By halftime, the Wildcats faced a 15-point deficit they were never able to overcome.

Auburn remained in control throughout, as Kentucky never found its rhythm or energy after the slow start. Sloppy play plagued the Wildcats, who committed a season-high 18 turnovers, leading to 21 Auburn points. Head coach Mark Pope took full responsibility for his team’s lackluster performance, acknowledging the struggles in his postgame remarks.

“This loss falls on me,” Pope admitted. “Credit to Auburn—they’re a great team. They hit tough shots, and their defensive switching threw us off. We let frustration build, and while there were plenty of possible excuses—travel, a quick turnaround—the reality is, as basketball players, we have to handle those challenges. I didn’t lead our team with the energy we needed today. It wasn’t about effort, just a mix of energy lapses, getting sped up, and Auburn’s shot-making. All of it combined for a really rough day for us.”

Kentucky struggled offensively against Auburn’s defensive pressure, shooting just 4-of-17 from three while relying heavily on free throws, converting 28-of-38 from the line. Meanwhile, Auburn was efficient from all areas, shooting 52% overall, 12-of-26 from three, and 24-of-31 from the line.

With the loss behind them, the Wildcats must quickly regroup for a must-win game on Tuesday against LSU (14-15 overall, 3-13 SEC) on Senior Day at Rupp Arena—their final home game of the season.