Kentucky wrapped up the regular season with a 66-57 win at home against Florida.
It was Senior Day for Reid Travis and Jonny David were honored before the tip off in their last game at Rupp Arena. Travis did not play while he still tries to come back from a sprained knee. David got the start and while he didn’t get a shot off he got a round of applause as Keldon Johnson came in to replace him a couple of minutes into the game.
As for the game, UK started pretty strong. Tyler Herro and Johnson carrying the load early. A Herro pull up from the free throw line gave UK an early 6-4 lead. A strong drive from Keldon gave UK a 15-10 lead.
P.J. Washington was looking for someone to pass to but when he couldn’t he just flipped up the shot from about 10 feet to put the Wildcats in front 17-12.
The Cats got their biggest lead of the half as Ashton Hagans hit a three pointer for a 25-16 UK advantage.
Then, UK couldn’t score from the field for more than 4 minutes and Florida got it going. Mike Okauru hitting 3 pointers and Isaiah Stokes had a couple of huge slams. The Gators hit six shots in a row and took a 29-28 lead.
It was 31-30 Florida at the half. UK was led by Hagans 11 points while Johnson added 8. Florida outshot Kentucky 48% to 41%.
Kentucky quickly got the lead back in the early part of the second half. Keldon Johnson scored and was fouled and his free throw put UK up 35-33. After falling behind again, another and one. This time P.J. Washington was fouled as he scored. UK was up 42-40.
The Wildcats went on a 10-0 run. Free throws started it but Herro hit a floater in the lane, then, P.J. Washington had a baseline, fadeaway turnaround that looked like a NBA move. Herro followed that with another NBA type move going through the lane and flipping it back in left-handed UK was up 54-42.
Kentucky would hold on to win 66-57. The Wildcats finish the regular season with a 26-5 record overall, 15-3 in the SEC. The Cats were led by Herro’s 16 points. Washington added 15 while Hagans and Johnson had 14 each.
UK plays in the SEC Tournament next week as either the #2 or #3 seed.
