Early morning start didn't prevent fireworks: Kentucky basketball stats and highlights from huge win over Gators

The No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats and No. 6 Florida Gators tipped off their SEC showdown in an early-morning clash, but the Wildcats appeared to still be waking up as the game began. Florida capitalized on Kentucky’s sluggish start, dominating the boards and forcing turnovers to build an early 11-point lead.

Amari Williams, Brandon Garrison, and Andrew Carr were helpless against the Gators, as Florida spent the first 10 minutes crashing the glass and creating second-chance opportunities. Kentucky’s early struggles on the boards left them in a significant deficit, with Florida leading the rebounding tally 13-4 at one point. Despite the slow start, Koby Brea’s timely three-pointer cut Florida’s lead to 8, and the Cats trailed 26-18 at the under-12 timeout.

Coming out of the timeout, Kentucky showed signs of life. Amari Williams was denied on a dunk attempt, and Brea had a shot blocked with the clock winding down. The momentum shifted when Otega Oweh converted an and-1 to energize the Wildcats. It was a 16-0 run, enjoy that below:

Oweh with 10 of those 16, just an amazing stretch. Brea followed with another three-pointer to tie the game, and Oweh’s midrange bank shot gave Kentucky their first lead. Oweh capped off the 16-0 run with a deep three, forcing Florida into a timeout as Kentucky surged ahead 31-26.

Otega was electric, asserting himself as the best player on the floor in the first half. The Wildcats also tightened their grip on the boards, flipping the rebounding battle to a more manageable 14-11 margin.

Florida fought back with offensive rebounds and a putback to trim Kentucky’s lead, but the Wildcats responded. Lamont Butler took charge in the final minutes, converting a steal into an and-1 layup and hitting a midrange jumper to push the lead to double digits at 50-40. A pair of free throws from Chinyelu made it 50-42, Carr then missed two crucial free throws in the closing seconds, leaving Florida unable to close the gap.

Butler punctuated the half with another steal and layup, sending Kentucky into the break with a 52-42 advantage.

First half stats

Florida Gators:
FG: 15-31
Field Goal %: 48.4
3PT: 5-17
Three Point %: 29.4
FT: 7-12
Free Throw %: 58.3
Rebounds: 21
Offensive Rebounds: 7
Defensive Rebounds: 14
Assists: 7
Steals: 2
Blocks: 2
Total Turnovers: 6
Points Off Turnovers: 0
Fast Break Points: 0
Points in Paint: 20
Fouls: 9
Technical Fouls: 0
Flagrant Fouls: 0
Largest Lead: 11

Kentucky Wildcats:
FG: 21-37
Field Goal %: 56.8
3PT: 7-16
Three Point %: 43.8
FT: 3-7
Free Throw %: 42.9
Rebounds: 18
Offensive Rebounds: 5
Defensive Rebounds: 13
Assists: 11
Steals: 5
Blocks: 2
Total Turnovers: 3
Points Off Turnovers: 15
Fast Break Points: 9
Points in Paint: 26
Fouls: 8
Technical Fouls: 0
Flagrant Fouls: 0
Largest Lead: 10

Second half

The second half picked up right where the first half left off—with fireworks. Unfortunately for Kentucky, the Gators struck first. An offensive rebound on the opening possession led to a three-pointer, quickly followed by another triple, slicing the Wildcats' lead to just four points within the first minute of action.

Florida continued to relentlessly attack the boards, securing two more offensive rebounds that led to another open three-pointer. The Gators trimmed the deficit to 60-55 with 16 minutes remaining, forcing Kentucky to regroup. A poor pass from Brandon Garrison led to a turnover, giving Florida a chance to further chip away at the lead with two free throws. However, Alijah Martin missed both, and Kentucky’s Travis Perry made the Gators pay with a clutch three-pointer on the ensuing possession.

The Wildcats’gap was short-lived, as Florida responded with precision. Three consecutive midrange jumpers cut the lead to 63-61. Despite a strong post move by Amari Williams, on the ensuing Florida possession Koby Brea failed to box out, allowing Will Richard to grab Florida’s 11th offensive rebound and convert an and-1, trimming the lead to just one. Alijah Martin was electric, pouring in 15 points in the first eight minutes of the half and keeping Florida within striking distance at 12 minutes to go.

Kentucky finally responded with a spark. After a Chinyelu block led to free throws for Oweh, the Wildcats embarked on a 10-0 run. Carr’s fastbreak layup capped the stretch, giving Kentucky an 11-point cushion with 10 minutes remaining. But Florida refused to go away. Walter Clayton hit a contested jumper and added two free throws to cut the lead to six before Koby Brea drained his sixth three-pointer of the game, pushing the Wildcats ahead 83-74 at the under-8 timeout.

Florida answered yet again, with quick baskets and a three-pointer from Clayton pulling the Gators within 89-85. Clayton stayed hot, converting two free throws after an Oweh foul to make it 89-87 with four minutes left. Chinyelu broke up a lob attempt, giving the Wildcats possession with just three seconds left on the shot clock heading into the under-4 timeout.

This battle of wills, offensive execution, and relentless effort on the boards has set the stage for a thrilling finish. A great inbounds play led to an open Butler who drains it to put the Cats up 5. After a Florida miss, Butler drove to the lane and drew a foul. He drains 2 free throws to put the Cats back up 7, Florida with an easy layup and its 94-89 with 3 to go. Jaxson Robinson went soft to the rim and Florida will not allow those to happen, a big block and Florida converts 1 of 2 free throws to make it 94-90.

Andrew Carr with his best move of the night to get an easy layup, Cats up 6 with 2 to go. A huge 3 from Carr as the shot clock winds down gives the Cats an 8 point lead. Florida will not go away, and makes a layup with 37 seconds left, 100-95 Kentucky.

The Cats get the ball in and Florida is forced to foul, Andrew Carr is going to the line for a 1-and-1. He makes the first, and then the second, but then fouls Clayton on a layup attempt. Clayton, a 91 percent shooter, missed them both. 102-95 with 23 seconds left and Florida will send Butler to the line.

Lamar made them both for his 19th point of the game. Alijah Martin from the corner cuts it 6, and Robinson will now take his turn at the line. He made both, but Florida quickly converts 106-100 with 5 seconds to go. Kentucky was able to get it in bounds and the Gators called it off, allowing the Cats to run the clock out. Huge win for the Cats.

Final Stats

Florida Gators

Field Goals: 33/60 (55.0%)
Three-Pointers: 12/34 (35.3%)
Free Throws: 22/35 (62.9%)
Rebounds: 38 (15 Offensive, 23 Defensive)
Assists: 16
Steals: 3
Blocks: 4
Turnovers: 9
Points: 100
Points in Paint: 38
Fast Break Points: 6
Points Off Turnovers: 4
Largest Lead: 11

Kentucky Wildcats

Field Goals: 37/64 (57.8%)
Three-Pointers: 14/29 (48.3%)
Free Throws: 18/24 (75.0%)
Rebounds: 30 (9 Offensive, 21 Defensive)
Assists: 25
Steals: 6
Blocks: 2
Turnovers: 6
Points: 106
Points in Paint: 44
Fast Break Points: 17
Points Off Turnovers: 20
Largest Lead: 11

Florida Gators

Walter Clayton Jr.: 33 points, 9/15 FG, 6/12 3PT, 5 assists
Alijah Martin: 26 points, 9/17 FG, 5/12 3PT
Rueben Chinyelu: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks
Alex Condon: 9 points, 10 rebounds
Will Richard: 9 points, 6 rebounds
Thomas Haugh: 9 points off the bench

Kentucky Wildcats

Koby Brea: 23 points off the bench, 8/11 FG, 7/9 3PT
Lamont Butler: 19 points, 8 assists
Otega Oweh: 16 points, 4 rebounds
Amari Williams: 15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists
Andrew Carr: 14 points, 5 assists
Jaxson Robinson: 14 points

3 Stars of the night

1. Otega Oweh

Where would the Cats have been in the first half without Otega? He almost single handedly got the Cats back in the game, and then pushed them over the top getting the lead. Oweh finishes with 16 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

2. Koby Brea

Koby Brea was unstoppable from 3 when he could get the shots off. Brea finishes the game with 23 points.

3. Amari Williams

After a bad start, Williams really rose his game to try and match the Gators physical front line. He finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block.