It was March 8, 2003 and the #2 ranked Kentucky Wildcats thought that they had the game and the undefeated SEC season locked up at halftime in Gainesville, Florida. The #3 ranked Gators had something else in mind when the final 20 minutes of the game started although they faced a 12 point deficit with a 43-31 score. Florida was also playing with a school best 19-game home winning streak; the longest in school history.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
With a minute left in the game Florida had chipped the lead down the 1 at 66-65 and could have taken the lead had it not been for an offensive foul called on Florida’s David Lee. On Kentucky’s next possession, Chuck Hayes was fouled and only made 1 of his two free throws leaving the door open for Florida to tie or take the lead on the final possession of the game after Keith Bogans missed on 2 free throws. A last second toss towards the basket came short for Florida and Kentucky won 69-67.
This was a historic win for the Wildcats having closed out only the second ever 16-0 season in the SEC. The only other time a team when 16-0 in the SEC was when Kentucky did it during their unbelievable 1996 season. For this game, Gerald Fitch was the high scorer for the Wildcats with 18 points while Keith Bogans added 15.
