Kentucky was back at home tonight to take on the Florida Guards, er…Gators in Rupp Arena.
Starters: Teague, Lamb, Kidd-Gilchrist, Jones, and Anthony Davis.
The game was all defense out of the gate. Scoreless until almost the 18 minute mark, when Florida hit from long range. Kentucky missed their first 7 shots and found themselves down 6-0 before a steal and a Doron Lamb jumper put them on the board. Lamb led the Cats, along with MKG, with 10 points.
With about 15 minutes to go in the half, Rupp Arena held its breath as Michael Kidd-Gilchrist wound up on the bottom of a pile after taking it to the hole in heavy traffic. After placing his entrails back in his stomach cavity, Gillie got to the line and tied it up.
Kyle Wiltjer came in and hit a nice three to give UK the lead, but he followed that up by committing a charge . Kyle has the potential to be a vital contributor for this team, but he still has a ways to go.
Coming up on the 10 minute mark, both teams were starting to get ‘their stuff’ going.
Florida hit a couple of jumpers and Kentucky was doing everything else. Though struggling with the press, the Cats would break for a dunk or lob every time they got it past half court.
After Kidd-Gilchrist got to the line again to give UK their biggest lead to that point, 21-17 with 8 minutes to go, Florida came down and turned it over, looking like the intensity of the game and physicality of UK was beginning to wear on them.
Down the stretch of the half Florida struggled to hit shots, and Kentucky continued to take advantage of the physical disparity, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in particular led the charge. He had 10 points and 9 rebounds. Anthony Davis had a strong half as well with 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals.
Kentucky shut down Florida’s 3 point attack (2-9 on the half), and played over the Gator’s heads. They took a 12 point lead to the locker room thanks to back to back 3’s from Doron Lamb in the final minute. 38-26 Cats.
