Florida vs Kentucky Final Score 92-83 as Gators Strengthen SEC Title Push

No.14 Florida delivered a statement performance Saturday night, defeating No 25 Kentucky 92-83 at Exactech Arena to secure its 10th win in the last 11 games and strengthen its position in the SEC race.

Florida (19-6, 10-2 SEC) led from start to finish in a decisive conference matchup that carried significant NCAA Tournament implications. Xaivian Lee paced the Gators with 22 points, while Urban Klavzar added 19, combining for nine made three pointers as Florida stretched Kentucky’s defense throughout the game.

Thomas Haugh contributed 17 points, Alex Condon scored 14 points with 11 rebounds, and Rueben Chinyelu added 10 points and 11 rebounds. Florida finished with a 45-37 rebounding edge, a key factor in maintaining control against one of the SEC’s most athletic rosters. The Gators shot efficiently from the perimeter and converted second chance opportunities to prevent Kentucky from mounting a sustained comeback.

Kentucky (17-8, 8-4 SEC) was led by Denzel Aberdeen, who scored 19 points in his return to Gainesville after transferring following Florida’s national championship run last season. Collin Chandler added 18 points and Otega Oweh finished with 13. Despite balanced scoring, the Wildcats struggled defensively during critical second half stretches and were unable to overcome Florida’s interior presence.

The breaking update in the SEC standings is significant. Florida entered the weekend trailing the conference leaders but remains firmly in contention for a top two seed in the SEC Tournament. Under coach Todd Golden, the Gators had previously gone 1-4 against Kentucky before Saturday’s result. This latest victory ends a six game home losing streak to the Wildcats and signals measurable growth within the program.

Historically, matchups between Florida and Kentucky have shaped the SEC title race. Kentucky remains one of the conference’s benchmark programs, but Florida’s latest timeline of improvement suggests the balance of power may be tightening. The Gators’ rebounding margin and perimeter efficiency reflect trends typically associated with deep March runs.

What this means moving forward is clear. Florida strengthens its NCAA Tournament résumé with a second ranked win and continues building momentum entering the final stretch of conference play. Kentucky, meanwhile, faces questions about defensive consistency and late game execution against top tier opponents.

Next steps are immediate for both programs. Kentucky returns home to host Georgia on Tuesday, seeking to stabilize its conference standing. Florida will host South Carolina the same night, aiming to extend its surge and maintain pressure atop the SEC standings.

This latest result positions Florida as one of the SEC’s most consistent teams entering March, while Kentucky remains competitive but in need of adjustments as postseason play approaches.