Florida coach Billy Donovan said there was nothing wrong with his team's execution down the stretch Saturday against Kentucky.
The shots were there. They just weren't falling.
The 11th-ranked Gators didn't score in the final 7½ minutes and lost 61-57 to Kentucky in their regular-season finale.
Florida (24-6, 14-4 Southeastern Conference) scored with 7:36 left on Scottie Wilbekin's 3-pointer that turned out to be the team's final points. The Gators went 0 for 11 after that and committed five turnovers in coughing up the lead.
"For the most part, we defended pretty well," Donovan said. "We just couldn't make it. We don't need to shoot 50 percent. But if we make a couple of chippies around the basket and maybe one jump shot, you're right there to win the game, and you probably do win the game."
It wasn't that the Gators were taking forced shots during their drought. Patric Young missed a layup and a point-blank jump hook. Wilbekin also missed a layup.
And when Donovan drew up a play to get an alley-oop dunk for Casey Prather, the play worked. But Wilbekin threw a bad pass, and Prather couldn't handle it. The ball sailed out of bounds.
With about 15 seconds left and Kentucky up 59-57, Kenny Boynton pulled up for a 15-foot jumper to tie the game. The ball glanced off the back rim and bounced out of bounds to the Wildcats (21-10, 12-6).
"Honestly, we just missed some shots that we should have made," said Erik Murphy, who led all scorers with 17 points. "Everybody had some good shots that they could have made and we just missed them. They stopped us, played defense and caused some misses. That's what happens."
Despite the loss, Florida finished the season as SEC regular-season champions for the second time in three seasons and third time in seven years. Five of the Gators' six SEC championships have come during Donovan's 17-year tenure as coach.
Kentucky's victory clinched the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament and bolstered the defending national champions' chances to land an NCAA tournament bid.
Julius Mays' two free throws with 9.4 seconds remaining capped Kentucky's comeback. Archie Goodwin's 16 points led the way in a game that Wildcats coach John Calipari described Friday as "do or die" for his team, which needed a signature win to boost its hopes for an NCAA berth.
Kentucky could still use another win or two in next week's Southeastern Conference tournament. But the Wildcats responded with their biggest gut check of the season.
Alex Poythress added nine points and 12 rebounds and Cauley-Stein had eight boards and six points after a scoreless first half.
Florida lost its third straight SEC road game and remains winless at Rupp Arena since 2007. The Gators settled for a season split with the Wildcats, who they beat 69-52 at Florida on Feb. 12, the game in which Kentucky also lost Nerlens Noel to a season-ending knee injury.
Kentucky led 11-2 as Florida started 1 of 6 from the field. But four missed shots and three turnovers by Kentucky over the next 5:01 allowed the Gators to tie as Murphy scored five points and Mike Rosario and Young added baskets. From there it became a tense, back-and-forth game defined by small runs culminating in a 31-all tie at the break.
Kentucky led 45-38 with 14:13 remaining but Florida reeled off eight straight points to take the lead, igniting a 19-5 run over 6:02 for a 57-50 advantage.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:00 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:00:39 GMT
The employment opportunities exchange website JobExpo.com hosts a job fair in Tampa Thursday. The fair starts at 10 a.m. at the Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore Hotel at 4400 West Cypress St. Job
The employment opportunities exchange website JobExpo.com hosts a job fair in Tampa Thursday. The fair starts at 10 a.m. at the Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore Hotel at 4400 West Cypress St. Job
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:23 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:23:35 GMT
Approximately 40 animals were found in what appeared to be an abandoned home on Hiawatha Place in Holiday on Wednesday night according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
Approximately 40 animals were found in what appeared to be an abandoned home on Hiawatha Place in Holiday on Wednesday night according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Leigh Spann joined WFLA in September, 2007. You can catch her forecasts every weekday morning starting at 4:30am. Since so many people ask, she says she wakes up at 2am and goes to bed at 7pm!
Leigh Spann joined WFLA in September, 2007. You can catch her forecasts every weekday morning starting at 4:30am. Since so many people ask, she says she wakes up at 2am and goes to bed at 7pm!
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:30:04 GMT
Laura Spaulding is used to crime scenes. Her company, Spaulding Decon, is often called in to clean up sites involving homicides, hoarding and other incidents. But this spring, she discovered signs
Laura Spaulding is used to crime scenes. Her company, Spaulding Decon, is often called in to clean up sites involving homicides, hoarding and other incidents.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:23 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:23:35 GMT
Approximately 40 animals were found in what appeared to be an abandoned home on Hiawatha Place in Holiday on Wednesday night according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
Approximately 40 animals were found in what appeared to be an abandoned home on Hiawatha Place in Holiday on Wednesday night according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
