UF retains its mastery of Kentucky
Resilient Gators need OT to win seventh straight over Wildcats.
By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
Published January 20, 2008
GAINESVILLE - Don't let the score fool you. This one didn't come easily for the Gators.
To do what had never been done in Florida history, it took an extra five minutes, a regrouping at the free-throw line and arguably the Gators' gutsiest performance of the season.
After going 10-of-22 from the line in the second half, Florida was 12-of-12, including 10 consecutive by freshman guard Nick Calathes, to earn an 81-70 victory over Kentucky on Saturday night in front of a sold-out O'Connell Center crowd.
It was the seventh consecutive victory over Kentucky 7-9, 1-2 SEC for the Gators (16-3, 3-1), the first time in school history that has been done.
Tied at 68 with 1:39 left in overtime, Florida went on a 5-0 run behind a basket from center Marreese Speights and a 3-pointer from junior guard Walter Hodge, to take a 73-68 lead with 57 seconds left. Ramel Bradley, who was instrumental in keeping the Wildcats in the game, pulled them within three with 43 seconds left, but from there it was all Florida: eight straight free throws from Calathes.
Florida produced all the fanfare you'd expect with ESPN's GameDay in town.
Quarterback Tim Tebow opened the telecast with the ESPN on-air crew Saturday morning, then brought his Heisman Trophy and spoke to the crowd at halftime, apologizing for the Gators' 9-4 season. Former center Al Horford returned and received a standing ovation (he stood the entire game cheering his former team on). And Florida fans filled the O'Connell Center.
And although both teams are unranked, the game didn't disappoint.
Trailing 61-58, Bradley hit a 3-point basket with 2.5 seconds left to send the game into overtime.
Florida led 30-25 at halftime after leading by as many as seven in the first half and wasted no time taking a big second-half lead. The Gators opened with a 12-5 run to take a 42-30 lead and seeming command of the game. Speights and forward Dan Werner combined for all 12 points.
But Kentucky wouldn't back down.
Led by seven points from senior Bradley, the Wildcats went on a 16-4 run to tie it at 46 on two free throws by Jodie Meeks with 9:08 remaining in the half.
The two battled back and forth down the stretch, with Florida hurting itself with missed free throws and foul trouble to Speights and Werner. Werner fouled out with 3:59 left in regulation.
Kentucky struggled from the field, scoring just five in a 6:14 stretch. With 3:59 left in regulation, the teams had combined for four field goals in nearly six minutes.
Although UK coach Billy Gillispie said last week he didn't expect two of his best injured players to participate, Meeks and Derrick Jasper played. The two had missed a combined 20 games due to injuries, Meeks three of the past five. The two combined to play 14 minutes in the first half, but neither scored.
Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com.