Florida Fails to Topple No. 6 Kentucky in SEC Opener, 87-85

Florida could not hold on to an eight-point halftime lead against No. 6 Kentucky, falling 87-85 at home in the SEC opener.

Photo: Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr.; Credit: Zach Goodall 

Florida's valiant upset efforts in game one of its Southeastern Conference schedule weren't enough to knock off the No. 6 Kentucky on Saturday afternoon in Gainesville.

The Gators fell to the Wildcats 87-85 in a tightly contested matchup coming down to the final buzzer.

On the opening day of SEC play, Todd Golden's squad came ready to compete with the No. 6 team in the country, as evident by their strong showing in the first half.

Despite falling 8-4 in the early going, the Gators produced well to command the entirety of the first half following the 16-minute media timeout.

Florida's eight threes in the first period separated the unit from Kentucky by as much as ten. The success downtown guided the unit to an impressive first half of play.

Walter Clayton Jr. and Riley Kugel combined for 25 points to lead the effort. Zyon Pullin proved complementary with several clutch shots at varying parts of the half, including an early midrange jumper to get the Gators going offensively and a three-point field goal as time ran out of the shot clock with 2:10 remaining. 

UF took a 45-37 lead into the break.

The start of the second provided a similar product to that of the first, as UK jumped out to a hot start while UF trotted slowly behind. It allowed the Cats to surge back with a 12-4 run.

After retaking the lead for the first time since the 14:38 mark in the first half, 51-49 with 15:22 on the clock in the second, Kentucky went cold on the offensive end. The Wildcats endured a three-minute scoring drought in which they missed six shots in a row.

The Gators went on a 9-0 run to capitalize, regaining firm control of the contest by way of a seven-point lead.

Florida maintained its margin for the ensuing ten minutes, entering the final six minutes of action up by three. 

An injury scare to Pullin following a layup attempt derailed the momentum that leaned slightly in Florida's favor. Kentucky tied the contest soon after Pullin exited, signaling the potential end to Florida's upset bid.

The talented fifth-year point guard worked through the cramp to return to the floor in a 74-74 game with 3:10 remaining. His presence aided the Gators to remain within striking distance until late

However, the momentum UK built proved too much for UF to overcome.

Aaron Bradshaw's top-of-the-key three to give the Cats a three-point margin with 1:27 left was the ultimate difference-maker in the battle among SEC foes.

Kentucky finished shooting 45% from the floor, 25% from three and 71.4% from the free-throw line. Florida ended the matchup at 42.6% from the field, 29% beyond the arc and 61.5% from the charity stripe. 

Clayton and Pullin concluded with 21 points and three assists a piece. Kugel posted 15 points before fouling out with 35 seconds remaining.

Florida will hit the road to Oxford, Miss., to take on the No. 22 Ole Miss Rebels on Wednesday, aiming to get in the win column after a promising conference opening performance on Saturday.

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