Florida led first in Rupp Arena on Saturday, the first Colin Castleton midrange jumper on a day with surprisingly many of them staking the Gators to a 2-0 lead over mighty Kentucky.
When the Wildcats flexed and ripped off a 20-4 run in response, that lead meant nothing.
But Florida did fight back, despite losing the dynamic Tyree Appleby to injury, its own 15-2 run helping keep the first half tight.
It’s just that Oscar Tshiebwe was, as usual, the baddest man on the floor.
Kentucky’s premier post player pounded away at the Gators inside, controlling much of the late first half and the second and ultimately putting up 27 points and 19 rebounds in a game that the Wildcats pulled away to win by a 78-57 count.