No. 18 Kentucky Falls to Florida

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Wenyen Gabriel scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 10 points, but No. 18 Kentucky lost to Florida 66-64 on Saturday night at Rupp Arena.

Kentucky (14-5, 4-3 SEC) got nine points from Kevin Knox, while Nick Richards added eight points and nine rebounds for the Wildcats.

The game was tied 12 times and there were four lead changes in the game, which was played in front of a season-high 24,394 fans. Kentucky used its size advantage to outrebound Florida 49-38, and the Wildcats also outscored the Gators in the paint 38-26.

The first half featured seven ties and two lead changes. Kentucky had the biggest advantage of the half, as the Wildcats used a 7-0 run to take a 28-20 lead with 5:05 left in the half. However, Florida answered with a 9-0 run to take a 29-28 lead with 2:20 left in the half. Florida would lead 33-31 at the break.

In the second half, Florida went on a 10-2 run early to take a 45-37 lead. Kentucky fought its way back and the Wildcats eventually tied the game 51-51 on a free throw by Richards. Kentucky would take a 56-53 lead on a three-pointer by Gilgeous-Alexander. But Florida had the answer again, scoring the next five points to lead 58-56 with 3:29 left.

The game was tied 58-58 when Florida scored six straight to lead 64-58 with 44 seconds remaining. Knox hit a three to cut the lead to 64-61 with 34 seconds left in the game. After Florida got a pair of free throws from Jalen Hudson, it was Gabriel hitting a three-pointer for the Cats to cut the lead to 66-64 with 27 seconds remaining.

After Florida missed a pair of free throws with 19 seconds left, Kentucky had a chance to tie or win. But both Quade Green and PJ Washington missed, and Florida was able to run out the clock.

Kentucky returns to action on Tuesday, when the Wildcats host Mississippi State at Rupp Arena. Tipoff is at 9 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN.