Florida Gators
Kentucky
UF Men's Hoops Post Thrilling Victory Over No. 3 Kentucky, 53-52
Monday, March 7, 2005 | Men's Basketball
Junior Anthony Roberson led all scorers with 21 points including a pair of free throws to put the Gators up 53-52 with 15.2 seconds left to put the game away.
Senior David Lee had his 11th double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Florida Gators (20-7 overall, 12-4 SEC) beat the Kentucky Wildcats (23-4 overall, 14-2 SEC) in an emotional senior day victory. The victory snapped an eight-game losing streak against Kentucky and gave Florida its seventh-consecutive 20-win season. The 12,602 fans in attendance for the game broke the O'Connell Center record.
In a clean, stifling defensive game, the Gators committed only nine fouls. They also blocked six shots, four by freshman Al Horford, and had nine steals.
Junior Matt Walsh added 11 points, including a 25-foot three-pointer with 48 seconds remaining to cut the UK lead to 52-51, and four assists for the Gators. Senior Chuck Hayes led Kentucky with 11 points.
Florida scored the first seven points of the game, as the Gator defense held the Wildcats scoreless for the five minutes of the game. Kentucky bounced back in a first half that saw two ties and four lead changes. The Gators led 26-25 at the half.
After the break, Kentucky freshman Rajon Rondo put up a three-pointer to give the Wildcats the early lead, but junior Matt Walsh answered and the back and forth game was on. The second half saw two more ties and eight more lead changes before the Gators put the 'Cats away for good on Roberson's free throws.
The Gators travel to Atlanta for SEC Tournament action next week. Florida, the no. 2 seed from the East, will face the winner of the Georgia/Mississippi State game at 3:15 on Friday afternoon. JP Sports will carry the game.
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