ROBINSON COMES THROUGH BIG IN OVERTIME
It was only a matter of time.
Both for coach Mark Pope (leading his team to a win against the highest ranked team yet) and for the Wildcats (walking away with that victory with only seconds left in overtime play). Kentucky beat number 9 ranked Duke earlier this season, but with number 7 ranked Gonzaga, this win was against the highest ranking a team yet.
Not to mention Pope has coached only nine games at Kentucky, a short time, all things considered. But it cannot be overlooked that of those nine games the Wildcats have lost only one, to Clemson on Dec. 3.
Gonzaga put together a late run in hope of a comeback, but Jaxon Robinson’s clutch overtime basket proved pivotal. A last three-point attempt that would have won the game for Gonzaga failed and left the total at 90-89.
But after the first half of play, few might have foreseen Kentucky winning. Gonzaga pounded on the Wildcats, leaving them significantly trailing 50 – 34 at halftime. However, throughout the second half, Gonzaga shot an abysmal 39.3 percent from the field.
This improves Kentucky to 8-1 with the next matchup against Colgate, who has as many losses on the season as the Wildcats have wins.