The half started with a DeAndre Liggins block, then Kentucky using every second of the shot clock that ended with a Liggins layup. The half ended with a Jon Hood field goal with 0.6 seconds remaining to close the Florida lead to 34-32.
Florida went on a 7-0 run, starting at the 3:46 mark, but the Cats ended the first on a 4-0 run over the final 1:25 as Jones made a 2-point bucket and Hood finished the half with a bucket at the buzzer.
Jones leads the Cats with 8 points and 5 rebounds. Knight has 7 with 2 boards and 2 assists. Kentucky is shooting 46.7% from the field to only 44.8% for Florida. The Cats have a 17-14 lead on the boards, an area that Florida should be dominating.
UK is 2-3 for 66.7% from deep with Knight and Lamb each with one. Florida is 3-9 from deep with Scottie Wilbekin nailing 2 of those 3.
The story of the first half has been the play of Jarrod Polson and jon Hood. Polson has been fearless attacking the basket twice, once losing the handle and getting rejected and the other having the ball plugged against the goal and rim, but his attacking attitude is what the Cats need on both ends of the court.
Hood had limited minutes, as Polson did, but made a key 2-pointer with no time left on the clock. Nice inbound play, that allowed Hood to work himself open for a 15 footer along the baseline that hit nothing but net.
Go Cats!!!
