Finding a way to win close games has been the signature of Kentucky basketball all year, but the Wildcats hero in Sunday’s game against LSU was its sixth man — Gerald Fitch.
UK’s Fitch, a senior guard who usually starts and averages more than 30 minutes per game, has been plagued with an injured finger on his right hand. Before the LSU game, Fitch had not played in three of UK’s last six games and played sparingly in the other three, averaging nearly nine points per game.
With the middle and ring fingers on his right hand taped together, Fitch managed to lead the Wildcats, scoring 23 points. He was 6-of-10 from the floor, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range.
“I think Gerald coming off the bench gives us a boost,” said Wildcats coach Tubby Smith.
Fitch said his teammates helped him get into the flow of the game early off the bench.
“I was able to get into a nice rhythm early in the game,” Fitch said. “And my teammates [were] finding me and giving me the ball in the open spot. My shot was falling pretty good and we got the win.”
Fitch came up big for UK, especially late in the game when LSU closed the lead to a one-possession game twice.
With 2:57 remaining in the game, Fitch passed the ball to junior forward Chuck Hayes, who drew a double team down in the lowpost and kicked the ball back out to Fitch. He did not hesitate and hit the 3-pointer. Smith said the play was not planned.
“It was a read, we really don’t practice it,” Smith said.
Fitch said being a veteran along with Hayes was the key to the play.
“We were able to read each other and read the defense at the same time and find other ways to skip the out-of-bounds play and find other ways to get open for the shot,” Fitch said.
Hayes said Fitch does not complain about coming off the bench but looks for ways to contribute any way he can.
“He’s not really letting the whole not being in the starting lineup get to him,” Hayes said. “He still knows that we’re going to look for him and he’s going to look for us.”
Fitch was the man with the ball again when the game was on the line late. With a 66-64 lead and 20 seconds left in the game, Fitch was fouled and went to the free-throw line, making both free throws and smiling with UK ahead by four.
“I always [smile], especially away when the crowd is going crazy,” said Fitch who was 6-of-8 from the free-throw line. “Especially when you make a free throw, that’s the last thing they need you to do. [I wanted to] kind of rub it in a little bit.”
The Tigers were not able to come within one possession in the game again.
LSU guard Antonio Hudson said he was impressed with UK, which clinched the Southeastern Conference Eastern Divison title with the win. He said the play of Fitch was especially unbelievable.
“He’s a tremendous player,” Hudson said. “I think he’s one of the best guards in the league. He’s a clutch player, made big shots and that’s what good players do — go to them when you need a basket and make something happen.”