No. 4 Florida cruises to third victory over Kentucky to open SEC Tournament title defense

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Florida forward Alex Condon (21) drives against Florida center Micah Handlogten (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Florida forward Alex Condon (21) drives against Florida center Micah Handlogten (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Florida guard Boogie Fland (0) shoots against Kentucky during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Florida guard Boogie Fland (0) shoots against Kentucky during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Florida guard Boogie Fland (0) celebrates his three-point shot against Kentucky during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Florida guard Boogie Fland (0) celebrates his three-point shot against Kentucky during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope speaks to an official during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament against Florida, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope speaks to an official during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament against Florida, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Kentucky forward Mouhamed Dioubate (23) and Florida center Rueben Chinyelu (9) vie for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Kentucky forward Mouhamed Dioubate (23) and Florida center Rueben Chinyelu (9) vie for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
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3:55 PM on Friday, March 13

By TERESA M. WALKER

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Alex Condon scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and fourth-ranked Florida took the first step toward defending its Southeastern Conference Tournament title by beating Kentucky 71-63 Friday in the quarterfinals.

The Gators (26-6) never trailed and were tied only once while winning their 12th straight game. The regular-season SEC champions, who are seeking a sixth tournament title overall, will play either No. 22 Vanderbilt or No. 25 Tennessee in Saturday's semifinals.

Thomas Haugh added 13 points for Florida, and Xaivian Lee had 11.

Kentucky (21-13) now has one more loss all-time (32) than titles (31) in this tournament. The ninth-seeded Wildcats played their third game in as many days after opening the tournament Wednesday morning, a first for a program that last won this event in 2018.

Denzel Aberdeen led Kentucky with 17 points, reserve Mouhamed Dioubate scored 14 and Otega Oweh added 10.

During the Gators' streak, Kentucky was the only team to lose within single digits and did it twice, including in the regular-season finale at Rupp Arena.

Florida was up 16-6 quickly on a turnaround jumper by Condon with 14:13 left. Kentucky tied it up at 20. Boogie Fland then started a 13-point run with consecutive jumpers in a spurt that included a one-handed putback slam by Micah Handlogten. Fland ended the run with a 3-pointer, and Florida took a 37-28 lead at halftime.

The Gators led by as much as 17 before missing 12 of 13 shots in the second.

Kentucky got within 66-61 on a 3-pointer by Aberdeen with 1:19 left. Lee hit a deep 3 from the top of the arc with 50.5 seconds remaining, then stole the ball from Aberdeen to preserve the win.

Up next

Kentucky returns home to rest and wait for its seeding and NCAA Tournament destination.

Florida takes another step toward defending its tournament championship.

___

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