02/14/26 04:47:00
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02/14 16:45 CST Xaivian Lee, Urban Klavzar deliver from outside as No. 14
Florida beats 25th-ranked Kentucky 92-83
Xaivian Lee, Urban Klavzar deliver from outside as No. 14 Florida beats
25th-ranked Kentucky 92-83
By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) --- Xaivian Lee scored 22 points, Urban Klavzar added 19
and No. 14 Florida beat 25th-ranked Kentucky 92-83 Saturday for its 10th
victory in its last 11 outings.
Lee and Klavzar took advantage of Florida's paint presence and hit a combined
nine 3-pointers.
Thomas Haugh (17), Alex Condon (14) and Rueben Chinyelu (10) also scored in
double figures for the Gators, who ended a six-game skid against the Wildcats
at home.
Florida (19-6, 10-2 Southeastern Conference) had been 1-4 against Kentucky
(17-8, 8-4) under coach Todd Golden. But the Gators led wire to wire in this
one and finished with a 45-37 rebounding advantage. Condon and Chinyelu grabbed
11 boards each, both finishing with a double-double.
The matchup featured a unique subplot. Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen, who
spent the last three years at Florida and helped the Gators win the national
title last March, was "welcomed" back with a chorus of boos.
Aberdeen led the Wildcats with 19 points while getting taunted with chants of
"Gator traitor" throughout. Collin Chandler added 18, and Otega Oweh chipped in
13.
Florida opened up a double-digit lead early but didn't put Kentucky away until
a second-half spurt that included inside buckets from Condon and outside shots
from Klavzar, who finished 5-of-11 shooting from behind the arc.
The Gators had several former players on hand for the sold-out game, including
NBA rookies and Walter Clayton and Will Richard. Clayton, the MVP of last
year's Final Four, and Richard were greeted with standing ovations when they
walked to their courtside seats and when they were recognized in the first
half. Matt Walsh (2002-05) and Matt Bonner (1999-2003) also made the trip to
Gainesville.
Up next
Kentucky: Hosts Georgia on Tuesday.
Florida: Hosts South Carolina on Tuesday.
___
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