Saturday’s showdown between Kentucky and Florida was historic before the opening tip, marking the earliest start time ever for a Kentucky basketball home game. Beginning at 11 a.m. ET, Rupp Arena saw the Wildcats and Gators deliver a performance worth waking up for, as Kentucky outlasted Florida in a thrilling 106-100 shootout.
From the opening minutes, it was evident this game would be anything but ordinary. Florida struck first, taking advantage of Kentucky’s sluggish start to build an early 11-point lead. The Gators dominated the boards in the first ten minutes. However, the Wildcats regrouped, unleashing a 16-0 run fueled by Otega Oweh’s scoring explosion to seize control.
Oweh shone as Kentucky’s best player in the first half, contributing 10 points in a two-minute stretch to help the Wildcats recover from an eight-point deficit. The Cats’ hot shooting continued as Koby Brea drained three after three, including a pair in the first half that gave Kentucky its first double-digit lead. The Wildcats headed into halftime with a 52-42 advantage, but the game was far from over.
Florida came out of the break with a vengeance, quickly cutting the lead to four behind a pair of three-pointers and relentless offensive rebounding. Alijah Martin kept the Gators in striking distance, pouring in 15 points in the first eight minutes of the second half and finishing with 21 overall. Florida’s grit showed as they trimmed Kentucky’s lead to one multiple times, thanks to midrange jumpers and strong inside play.
Kentucky, however, had answers at every turn. The Wildcats executed three separate 10-0 runs during the game, each sparked by defensive stops and fast-break opportunities. Brea was sensational, finishing with six three-pointers, including a dagger that pushed Kentucky’s lead to 86-78 with seven minutes remaining. Oweh and Lamont Butler also delivered in the clutch, with Butler’s late steals and midrange jumpers helping Kentucky stave off Florida’s comeback attempts.
Kentucky’s 106-100 win marked their first SEC home game of the season and showed the resiliency and firepower of Mark Pope’s squad. The game featured brilliant offense from both teams, with Kentucky overcoming early struggles.
Both teams left everything on the court, delivering a historic and unforgettable early morning masterpiece for fans of the game. With the win, Kentucky starts off 1-0. The Gators will need to regroup as they host number 1 Tennessee next.