The difference in tight games often comes down to who makes the big plays.
Sunday in the O'Connell
Center, it was sixth-ranked Kentucky's response in critical situations
late in each half that ultimately led to the Wildcats escaping with a
59-56 win over upset-minded Florida in the Southeastern Conference
opener for both teams before a crowd of 941.
“We're
disappointed obviously because we lost, but more so that we didn't play
well,” UF head coach Amanda Butler. “You have to give Kentucky a lot of
credit for that. They are definitely the best defensive team we've
faced all year. They're a great pressing team that obviously takes a lot
of pride in what they do.”
The
game was a back-and-forth battle that was still in limbo until senior
point guard Amber Smith drained a crucial three-pointer as the shot
clock expired to put the Wildcats (12-2, 1-0) ahead 55-47 with 1:55
remaining.
Smith, who had
not scored before her clutch trey, then sealed the deal by knocking down
4-of-6 free throws in the final 30 seconds, scoring the final seven
points of the game for Kentucky to end a seven-game home winning streak
for the Gators (10-4, 0-1).
Smith's
clutch trey was just one of three for the Wildcats. UF had taken a
29-27 lead with one minute left in the first half on a turnaround jumper
by junior forward Jennifer George, but Kentucky's leading scorer,
junior guard A'dia Mathies who had been held scoreless to that point,
drained back-to-back threes 15 seconds apart to send the ‘Cats to the
locker room up 33-29.
“I
know when we go back and watch the film, in particular the way we
finished the first half, it's just going to be hard to watch,” Butler
said. “You've got to be composed against a great team like that that's
bringing that type of pressure and be good passers and good leaders and
be good teammates, and there was just too many moments where that dipped
for us and wasn't consistent.”
While
George did notch her sixth straight double-double with 10 points and a
team-high 11 rebounds, she was held scoreless in the second half.
Sophomore Jaterra Bonds added 10 points, but the other three starters –
senior guards Jordan Jones and Lakita Bartley and senior center Azania
Stewart (10 rebounds) – combined to score only nine points, all of them
coming in the final 8:19 of play.
UF
was led in scoring by seniors Deana Allen (14 points) and Ndidi Madu
(11 points) off the bench. The duo combined to go 10-for-21 from the
field while the rest of the team was just 10-for-40 as the Gators
converted only 32.8 percent in the loss.
Mathies led the ‘Cats with 14 points, with freshman guard Bria Goss adding 11.
“We are so happy to get that win,”Kentucky head coach Matthew Mitchell
said. “We certainly had to earn it. Florida played so tough today and it
was just what you would expect in an SEC road game. It's going to be a
big-time, physical, tough game, and I thought that's what it was today.”
The Gators travel to Ole Miss on Thursday.
