Florida Gators
Kentucky
Rally Falls Short as UF Men Lose to UK 71-70
Wednesday, February 7, 2001 | Men's Basketball
The Gators took a 70-67 lead with 1:57 to play when Brett Nelson drilled a three-point basket. Kentucky cut the lead to one on Marvin Stone's layup. After the Gators failed to run down a missed shot, the Wildcats took the ball out with 10 seconds to go. Prince then worked his way for the game- winning shot. Florida had 3 seconds to try and get a final shot off, but a long inbounds pass wound up in a Kentucky players' arms.
"Couldn't have defended the play any better," said Gator coach Billy Donovan referring to Prince's winning shot. "Tayshaun Prince made a great shot, with a running hook going one on one."
The Gators fell behind 45-to-31 at the half. But they went on a 15-5 run to take the lead. Major Parker made two free throws to put the Gators ahead 60-59 with 5:21 to go. Donovan said the big first half deficit was too much to overcome. "I thought we came out and played very, very nervous and uptight, and intimidated. In the second half we came out and played the way we played the last four games."
Brett Nelson led the Gators with 18 points. Udonis Haslem, held to just three first half points, finished with 15. So did guard Teddy Dupay, who made three of the Gators six three-pointers. Brent Wright finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Matt Bonner had an off night. He had just six points, but 11 boards. Kentucky was led by Prince's 19 points.
The loss ended Florida's four-game winning streak and dropped the Gators to 15-5, 5-4 in the SEC, two games behind Kentucky in the Eastern Division. Florida welcomes Arkansas to the O'Connell Center Saturday afternoon with a tip off set for 1:00 p.m. eastern time.
