The Kentucky Wildcats kept the Kansas Jayhawks at bay throughout the second half of Monday night's 2012 NCAA Championship Game to hold on for a 67-59 win. Anthony Davis was held in check offensively, but dominated everywhere else. He finished with 16 rebounds, six blocks, five assists and three steals to go with six points.
The Wildcats led by double digits until the 4:17 mark of the second half, when a Tyshawn Taylor and-1 brought the Jayhawks to within nine. The play was part of an 8-0 run that finished with Kentucky up just seven points and suddenly in a competitive ball game. The Jayhawks pulled within five points with 1:37 to go, and had a chance to bring the game to within one possession but turned the ball over. Forced to the line, Kentucky made 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to seal the game.
Tyshawn Taylor played valiantly late, making his first 3-pointer of the tournament to finish with 19 points. Thomas Robinson scored 18, but went just 6-for-17 from the field. He did haul in 17 rebounds, however, in a very competitive battle with Davis in the paint. Jeff Withey added four blocked shots and seven rebounds to go with five points.
The Wildcats finished with 11 blocked shots to five for the Jayhawks. Kentucky also won the rebounding battle 39 to 34. Kansas shot just 35.5 percent from the floor, held in check by an incredibly impressive defensive performance. The title was the Wildcats' eighth in program history.
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