LEXINGTON, Ky. — Anton Watson's go-ahead three-point play proved to be critical play in the final minutes, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs survived a furious rally from No. 17 Kentucky for a 89-85 win on Saturday.
For Kentucky (16-7), the loss was the third-straight at Rupp Arena for the first time since it opened its doors in 1976. The last time the Wildcats ever lost three in a row at home came during the 1966-67 season, when they still played at the Memorial Coliseum.
"When you walk into this building and it's been packed like it has been for three games, we just normally come out on fire and we haven't," Kentucky coach John Calipari said.
Gonzaga (18-6) might have had a lot to do with that, as they outperformed Kentucky in every phase in the first half, grabbing a 42-32 halftime lead.
However, Kentucky wouldn't go away and stormed back in the second half and turn the game into a back-and-forth affair.
When Reed Sheppard tied the game up at 75 with his three-point with 4:07, it seemed the Wildcats would pull through for a big win
But Watson's and-one play gave the Bulldogs a 78-75 lead with 3:49 remaining.
He later followed up with a key tip-in and another basket in the final 1:31 to give the Bulldogs a four-point cushion and thwart a Kentucky comeback.
Ben Gregg stole a lob pass intended for Adou Thiero and made 1 of 2 free throws with 5 seconds left. Nolan Hickman sank two more with a second left to put the game away.
Sheppard scored 21 points and Antonio Reeves followed with 17 for Kentucky. Thiero finished with 15 points and had three blocks.
Gonzaga's Graham Ike scored a team-high 23 points before fouling out with 43 seconds left, Hickman chipped in 17 and Braden Huff 12 as Gonzaga edged Kentucky 47% to 46% in shooting.
The real story of the game was the Bulldogs dominance in the paint, outscoring the Wildcats 50-40 in the paint and beating them 43-31 in rebounding, including 18 offensive boards.
With all their non-conference games out of the way, Kentucky sets its sights on Mississippi who visits Lexington on Tuesday night.
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