It was yet another tough test for the Kentucky Wildcats, one that coach John Calipari said they should have been trailing by 10 at the half. Instead, the top-ranked Wildcats edged the Florida Gators 68-61 to run their perfect record to 23-0.
Kentucky was led by Aaron Harrison's 23 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 of his own. Willie Cauley-Stein contributed 13 points, including a thunderous dunk over Florida's Devin Robinson in the 2nd half. The win snaps the Wildcats' 3-game losing streak against the Gators. Florida won all 3 meetings last season, including in the SEC tournament.
The Gators led by as many as 9 in the 1st half and used a 6-0 run to lead 44-42 in the 2nd half. The Wildcats were solid at the free throw line, finishing 21-of-22 from the charity strike, which helped them pull away to survive. The Gators finished 50 percent (7-of-14) from the line.
Florida has now lost 5 of 7, and the 2 wins were close games that could have easily been losses.
This was just the 5th game decided by 10 points or less for the Wildcats. Devin Booker had 12 points for the top team in the country.
The Gators were led by by Dorian Finney-Smith's 16 points and 5 rebounds, while Kasey Hill added 12, Eli Carter 11, and Michael Frazier II 10. Frazier missed much of the 2nd half due to a sprained ankle.
With the loss, Florida fell to 12-11 on the season, 5-5 in conference play, and will host Ole Miss on Thursday. The Wildcats will continue their pursuit of perfection on Tuesday, putting their unblemished record on the line against LSU.
Kentucky was led by Aaron Harrison's 23 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 of his own. Willie Cauley-Stein contributed 13 points, including a thunderous dunk over Florida's Devin Robinson in the 2nd half. The win snaps the Wildcats' 3-game losing streak against the Gators. Florida won all 3 meetings last season, including in the SEC tournament.
The Gators led by as many as 9 in the 1st half and used a 6-0 run to lead 44-42 in the 2nd half. The Wildcats were solid at the free throw line, finishing 21-of-22 from the charity strike, which helped them pull away to survive. The Gators finished 50 percent (7-of-14) from the line.
Florida has now lost 5 of 7, and the 2 wins were close games that could have easily been losses.
This was just the 5th game decided by 10 points or less for the Wildcats. Devin Booker had 12 points for the top team in the country.
The Gators were led by by Dorian Finney-Smith's 16 points and 5 rebounds, while Kasey Hill added 12, Eli Carter 11, and Michael Frazier II 10. Frazier missed much of the 2nd half due to a sprained ankle.
With the loss, Florida fell to 12-11 on the season, 5-5 in conference play, and will host Ole Miss on Thursday. The Wildcats will continue their pursuit of perfection on Tuesday, putting their unblemished record on the line against LSU.
