Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe led the charge with a dominating 25-point, 16-rebound performance. The junior forward was unstoppable in the paint, shooting 8-of-12 from the field and 9-of-11 from the free-throw line.
“I’m just trying to do my job and help my team win,” Tshiebwe said post-game. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we stayed focused and played together.”
The Wildcats’ backcourt duo of TyTy Washington and Sahvir Wheeler added 24 and 21 points, respectively. Washington also dished out seven assists, while Wheeler contributed five rebounds.
Florida’s Colin Castleton posted a team-high 25 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Gators’ defensive struggles. Kentucky shot 52.9% from the field and 40.9% from three-point range, with eight players scoring in double figure
“We just couldn’t get stops when we needed to,” Florida head coach Mike White said. “Kentucky’s a talented team, and they made us pay for our mistakes.”
The Gators’ loss dropped them to 12-4 overall and 3-1 in SEC play. Despite the setback, Florida remains one of the top teams in the conference.
Kentucky, meanwhile, continues to build momentum under head coach John Calipari. With their fifth straight win, the Wildcats have solidified their position as a top-10 team nationally.
“We’re getting better, but we still have a lot of work to do,” Calipari said. “I’m proud of our guys for their effort and resilience. We’ll enjoy this win for tonight, but tomorrow we’re back to work.”
The Wildcats will look to extend their winning streak when they host Texas A&M on Wednesday. Florida, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back against Mississippi State on Saturday.
