Florida Gators
Kentucky
Gators Beat Kentucky 94-86 to Win Share of SEC
Sunday, March 4, 2001 | Men's Basketball
The Gators built a 50-36 lead early in the second half, but Kentucky kept chipping away at the lead. Brett Nelson hit a three-pointer when Kentucky trimmed Florida's lead to 76-69. Matt Bonner did the same when the Wildcats came within seven points again, at 83-76. Bonner's basket came with 1:58 left in the game.
The Gators began the season with a 1-3 mark in the SEC, but finished with a rush to win 11 of their final 12 conference games. "The fact that these kids mustered up enough energy after being 1 and 3 to win 11 out of 12 speaks volumes about the character of these kids," said Billy Donovan, who posted his 100th victory as Florida's head coach. "I don't know if there's another team that could have done what these kids have done in the regular season. I realize we have alot of basketball left, and I hope we play deep into March, but I want them to enjoy it because we set out to win an SEC championship and found a way to be part of it."
Dupay made five of six three-pointers as part of his 28-point performance. Udonis Haslem scored 20 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Brett Nelson scored 17, Matt Bonner added 12 and senior Major Parker, playing in his final home game, chipped in with 10. Brent Wright also made his final appearance in a home game, although the hobbled Wright played less than a minute because of a stress fracture in his right foot.
Parker thanked Billy Donovan for his guidance through four years at Florida "There was alot of things I learned on the court, but most importantly are the things that are gonna help me off the court," said Parker during a post-game ceremony after the game. "This year, we've been through alot. I think we went through alot for a reason. We came together, closer as a team."
Kentucky trailed by as much as 15 points in the first half before closing the gap to 38-31 at the half. They were led in scoring by Keith Bogans, who scored a career-high 29 points. Tayshaun Prince scored 18.
Florida finished 22-5 overall and will next play Friday, March 9th in the SEC men's basketball tournament in Nashville. The Gators will play the winner of the Alabama-Vanderbilt game at 7:30 p.m. eastern time.
