Trailing by 18 points, Ohio didn't pack it in Saturday against Kentucky and almost bit the 20th-ranked Wildcats at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati before falling 83-75.

Ohio appeared flustered at times in the first half, and trailed Kentucky by 16 points at halftime. In the second 20 minutes, however, the Bobcats got their act together and outplayed UK, cutting the lead to 76-73 with less than two minutes remaining. Kentucky used some clutch free throws and a block by Marquis Estill on Brandon Hunter to seal the win.

Sonny Johnson led Ohio with 24 points, including two crucial three-pointers to spark the comeback. Hunter, a Cincinnati native playing before his hometown crowd, led Ohio with 16 rebounds to go with 18 points.