Koby Brea’s seven 3-pointers propelled No. 10 Kentucky to a thrilling 106-100 victory over No. 6 Florida on Saturday, marking the Gators’ first defeat of the season. Brea’s impressive performance off the bench, scoring 23 points, was crucial in a game that showcased the intensity of SEC basketball.
The Gators (13-1, 0-1 SEC) fought back from an 80-69 deficit, narrowing the gap to 89-87 thanks to Walter Clayton Jr.’s free throws with 4:40 left on the clock. However, Lamont Butler responded with a timely three-pointer as the shot clock expired, followed by two free throws that secured a vital cushion for the Wildcats (12-2, 1-0).
Clayton was a standout for Florida, racking up 33 points, including 12 during a critical 18-9 run. Alijah Martin also made a significant impact, scoring 20 of his 26 points in the second half to help the Gators rally after trailing 52-42 at halftime.
Butler contributed 19 points and eight assists, showcasing Kentucky’s depth with six players reaching double figures in scoring, a testament to their balanced offensive approach.
Takeaways
Florida: The Gators capitalized on offensive rebounding to seize an early lead and made a strong comeback in the second half, collecting 15 offensive rebounds that translated into 31 second-chance points.
Kentucky: The Wildcats faced an early rebounding deficit, being outrebounded 12-2 in the first 10 minutes and trailing 20-11. However, they turned the tide by dominating the boards 16-9 for the remainder of the half, ultimately taking a 10-point lead into halftime.
Key moment
With Florida closing the gap to 70-69, coach Todd Golden called a 30-second timeout. Following the break, the Wildcats responded emphatically by scoring the next 10 points, regaining momentum.
Key stat
Florida had previously limited its last four opponents to just 20% shooting from beyond the arc, averaging about five made 3-pointers per game. In contrast, Kentucky excelled, shooting 48% from three and sinking 14 shots from long range.
Up next
Both teams will be back in action on Tuesday night: Florida will host the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers, while Kentucky travels to face off against the Georgia Bulldogs.
