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Gonzaga deals Kentucky it’s second loss, 88-72

Down by 18 points early in the second half, Kentucky rallied to within four and then stumbled down the stretch, losing 88-72 to Gonzaga

No. 4 Kentucky faced a number of obstacles on Sunday night. The Cats were taking on one of the nation’s best teams, second-ranked Gonzaga, in a hostile environment after having traveled about as far as they could travel within the 48 contiguous states.

The Cats, as might be expected, got off to a slow start in the game before rallying in the second half. But in the end, it was not enough as Gonzaga beat Kentucky 88-72 at Spokane Arena.

Kentucky (3-2) struggled to get its offense going in the first half. The Cats hit just eight of 32 (25 percent) from the floor in the first half, including missing all 10 of its three-point shots. Meanwhile, Gonzaga was playing like the nation’s second-ranked team. The Zags would build an 18-point lead in the first half and would lead 41-25 at the half.

The second half was a totally different story. The shots that were not falling for the Cats in the first half started to go in early in the second 20 minutes. Gonzaga’s big lead started to dwindle. In fact, the Cats would go on a 20-6 run to cut an 18-point deficit down to just four, 49-45.

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Walter Cornett, of Glendale, Kentucky, is the owner and operator of Walter’s Wildcat World. He founded WildcatWorld.com in 1998 making it one of the oldest Kentucky basketball fan sites in operation today.

On This Day in UK Basketball History

On March 31, 1975, Coach John Wooden closed out his coaching career by leading the Bruins over Kentucky for their 10th NCAA title in 12 years.

 

On March 31, 1984, Georgetown outscores UK 23-2 at the start of the second half to defeat the Wildcats, 53-40, in the NCAA semifinal game in Seattle.

 

On March 31, 1997, despite losing its star, Derek Anderson, to a knee injury on Jan. 18, UK returns to defend its NCAA title in the National Championship game, trying to become the second team in 24 years to repeat as national champion, falling in overtime to Arizona, 84-79. Ron Mercer and Anthony Epps nailed three-pointers inside the last minute to force overtime. But with four Wildcats fouling out, Arizona outscored UK by five in the extra period in Rick Pitino's final game as coach at Kentucky.

 

On March 31, 2008, long time Kentucky basketball manager Bill Keightley passed away at the age of 81 in Cincinnati. Affectionately known as “Mr. Wildcat”, he had been associated with the Wildcats’ basketball program since 1962. Keightley, who manned the “Bill Keightley Equipment Room” in Memorial Coliseum, was as much a fixture around UK basketball as the seven national championship trophies on display in the Joe Craft Center. A crowd of over 3,000 payed their respects at a tribute to Mr. Keightley held in Rupp Arena. Former players, coaches and managers traveled from across the country to eulogize him.

 

On March 31, 2012, Kentucky finally put away pesky Louisville, who outrebounded Kentucky 40-33, 69-61, in the Final Four to advance to the national championship game.  Kentucky shot a dazzling 57 percent with Anthony Davis leading the way with 18 points and 14 rebounds.  Darius Miller added 13 points, and Doron Lamb had 10. Kidd-Gilchrist had nine, all in the second half.  Former Kentucky coach turned Louisville coach, Rick Pitino, congratulated Calipari and told him he'd be rooting for the Wildcats.

 

Wildcats Born on This Date

March 31, 1988

Deandre Liggins
34 Deandre Liggins

March 31, 2004

Brandon Garrison
10 Brandon Garrison

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