NKyTribune staff
LEXINGTON — Jake Ohmer still feels right at home in Rupp Arena, even though the former Scott High School legend is now wearing a Georgetown (Ky.) uniform.
Ohmer poured in 25 points on Sunday as Georgetown dropped an 80-53 decision to Kentucky in an exhibition game in Rupp Arena. The Wildcats held the visiting Tigers to 25 percent shooting from the field and cruised to the win.
After spending the past two years at Western Kentucky, Ohmer transferred to defending NAIA national champion Georgetown this summer. His presence in the lineup gives the Tigers an experienced backcourt performer with the ability to score, something he showcased Sunday.
UK’s Kahlil Whitney (left) goes to the basket against Georgetown’s Jake Ohmer during Sunday’s exhibition game in Rupp Arena. (Photo by Chet White, UK Athletics)
“I just came in here with the mindset that we just had to run the floor and be confident with ourselves,” Ohmer said. “We obviously didn’t do what we wanted. We didn’t run as much, but we rebounded well. I just thought that our team could’ve been a little more unselfish, but besides that I think we did fine.”
He also knows the shooting background at Rupp Arena. As a senior at Scott High School, Ohmer forged a legacy on the basketball court that made him a legendary figure during the Eagles’ remarkable run to the Sweet 16 in March of 2017.
The Taylor Mill native became a crowd favorite at the Sweet 16 in Lexington, scoring 106 points during three games – the 13th-most ever scored in a single Kentucky state tournament – while leading Scott to the semifinals in Rupp Arena.
Georgetown head coach Chris Briggs was impressed by Ohmer’s debut with the Tigers.
“He picked up where he left off in the state tournament,” Briggs said. “We were practicing in here yesterday and I am running up and down and getting a little exercise in here before we start and I said, ‘Jake, how many did you score in here? About 100?’ and he looked at me and said, ‘106, Coach.’
“He knew and he got 25 tonight. Proud of him and the way he competes and the way that he battles.”
Ohmer, a 6-foot-1 junior guard, appeared in 28 games for Western Kentucky last season and averaged 1.6 points per contest. As a freshman two years ago, he appeared in 37 games and averaged 5.6 points.
Chris Coffey pulled down 11 rebounds for Georgetown, which won the battle of the boards by a 45-39 margin over the taller Wildcats. Kentucky, though, connected on 49.2 percent from the field and placed four players in double figures to coast past the defending NAIA national champions.
Immanuel Quickley finished with 16 points to lead Kentucky, while Ashton Hagans and Tyrese Maxey each netted 14 points.
Georgetown begins the regular season Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. by hosting Miami-Middletown in Davis-Reid Alumni Gym.
(Information compiled from UK Athletics Communications and staff reports)
