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After rolling through non-conference play unbeaten, No. 5 Florida basketball was unable to pass its first SEC test at No. 11 Kentucky on Saturday.
Koby Brea led six Kentucky scorers in double figures with 23 points, lifting the Wildcats to a 106-100 win over the Florida Gators on Saturday at Rupp Arena.
The loss ended UF’s best start to a season since starting the 2005-06 season 17-0. Senior point guard Walter Clayton Jr. led Florida (13-1, 0-1 SEC) by matching a career high with 33 points and four assists. But Clayton also had five turnovers in his first SEC test stating at the point.
Alijah Martin added 26 points for UF, while starting center Rueben Chinyelu had 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Kentucky (12-2, 1-0 SEC) got 19 points and eight assists from point guard Lamont Butler and 16 points from guard Otega Oweh.
The sellout crowd at Rupp Arena included Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who sat courtside next to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear
Here are three takeaways from the UF loss:
Florida basketball defense struggles to get consistent stops
UF was unable to stop Kentucky’s free-flowing offense, surrendering a season-high 106 points. The Wildcats finished the game shooting 57.8% from the floor and 48.3% from 3-point range, going 14 of 29 from beyond the arc. Florida was unable to fight over screens consistently to contest Kentucky 3-point shots.
Florida applied little pressure on the ball, generating just nine turnovers and scoring just four points off turnovers.
Missed free throws costly for Florida basketball
Florida went just 22 of 35 from the free throw line, including two on front ends of one-and-ones in the second half. A wiped-out Clayton Jr. missed a pair of free throws late. Martin (3 of 7) and junior forward Alex Condon (3 of 8) also struggled from the line.
Florida basketball squanders first half lead as turnovers mount
Florida led 26-15 with 11:13 left in the first half when Thomas Haugh sank a 3-pointer, before the Wildcats responded with a 16-0 run, taking a 31-26…
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Author : The Gainesville Sun
Publish date : 2025-01-04 18:30:00
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