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Florida basketball fell in its Southeastern Conference opener at home against the Kentucky Wildcats despite a valiant effort, coming up short in the 87-85 final score. The Gators led for much of the game but simply could not close out against one of the best teams in the country.
Guards Zyon Pullin and Walter Clayton Jr. paced the both the Orange and Blue and the overall scorecard with 23 points apiece. The former added a trio of rebounds and assists while also logging a steal; the latter pulled down four boards while dishing out three dimes as well as a steal.
Todd Godlen’s gang had an eight-point edge heading into the halftime locker room, but John Calipari’s team was able to turn the table to a 1-point tune in the second half to secure the win.
Take a look below at highlights from Florida’s loss to Kentucky in the O’Connell Center to open up SEC play.
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden and Kentucky Wildcats head…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden and Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talk before the game at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Tre Mitchell #4 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Tre Mitchell #4 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators during the first half of a game at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Head coach Todd Golden of the Florida Gators talks to a…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Head coach Todd Golden of the Florida Gators talks to a referee during the first half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: D.J. Wagner #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball during…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: D.J. Wagner #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball during the first half of a game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: D.J. Wagner #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: D.J. Wagner #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball against Micah Handlogten #3 of the Florida Gators during the first half of a game at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: D.J. Wagner #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball during…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: D.J. Wagner #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball during the first half of a game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball against…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball against Denzel Aberdeen #11 of the Florida Gators during the first half of a game at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Justin Edwards #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball against…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Justin Edwards #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball against Zyon Pullin #0 of the Florida Gators during the first half of a game at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Justin Edwards (1) dunks the ball over…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Justin Edwards (1) dunks the ball over Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) and guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard D.J. Wagner (21) makes a layup over…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard D.J. Wagner (21) makes a layup over Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Head coach Todd Golden of the Florida Gators looks on during…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Head coach Todd Golden of the Florida Gators looks on during the first half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Antonio Reeves (12) moves to the basket…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Antonio Reeves (12) moves to the basket against Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) and Florida Gators center…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) and Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) battle for a rebound during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) moves past Florida Gators…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) moves past Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard (15) drives to the basket…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard (15) drives to the basket away from Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen (11) and Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) shoots over Kentucky Wildcats…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) shoots over Kentucky Wildcats guard Antonio Reeves (12) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Justin Edwards (1) makes a layup over…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Justin Edwards (1) makes a layup over Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) drives to the basket…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) drives to the basket against Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) gestures after a play…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators center Micah Handlogten (3) gestures after a play during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Joey Hart (20) looks to dribble at…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Joey Hart (20) looks to dribble at Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Tre Mitchell (4) shoots over Florida Gators…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Tre Mitchell (4) shoots over Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) and Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Tre Mitchell (4) posts up against Florida…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Tre Mitchell (4) posts up against Florida Gators guard Riley Kugel (2) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Tre Mitchell (4) shoots over Florida Gators…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Tre Mitchell (4) shoots over Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden gestures from the sidelines…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden gestures from the sidelines during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard D.J. Wagner (21) dribbles the ball at…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard D.J. Wagner (21) dribbles the ball at Florida Gators guard Riley Kugel (2) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Tre Mitchell (4) battles with Florida Gators…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Tre Mitchell (4) battles with Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Basketball: Kentucky at Florida
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard (15) attempts a three-pointer over…
Jan 6, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Reed Sheppard (15) attempts a three-pointer over Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) shoots over Kentucky Wildcats forward Ugonna Onyenso (33). The Florida…
Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) shoots over Kentucky Wildcats forward Ugonna Onyenso (33). The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) defends a shot by Kentucky Wildcats forward Brennan Canada (14).…
Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) defends a shot by Kentucky Wildcats forward Brennan Canada (14). The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators guard Riley Kugel (2) makes an easy layup. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted…
Florida Gators guard Riley Kugel (2) makes an easy layup. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots over Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0). The…
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots over Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0). The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen (11) drives to basket and through Kentucky Wildcats guard Justin Edwards…
Florida Gators guard Denzel Aberdeen (11) drives to basket and through Kentucky Wildcats guard Justin Edwards (1). The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots over the Kentucky defense. The Florida men’s basketball…
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots over the Kentucky defense. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators head coach Tom Golden reacts to a defensive play by the Gators. The Florida…
Florida Gators head coach Tom Golden reacts to a defensive play by the Gators. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) drives to the basket. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted…
Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) drives to the basket. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) throws defense on Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0). The…
Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) throws defense on Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0). The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) drives to the basket for a layup. The Florida…
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) drives to the basket for a layup. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) shoots over Kentucky Wildcats forward Aaron Bradshaw (2). The Florida…
Florida Gators forward Tyrese Samuel (4) shoots over Kentucky Wildcats forward Aaron Bradshaw (2). The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: D.J. Wagner #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball during…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: D.J. Wagner #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball during the first half of a game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) throws an elbow on Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10)…
Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) throws an elbow on Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) while going after a rebound. The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) shoots over Kentucky Wildcats forward Ugonna Onyenso (33). The Florida…
Florida Gators guard Zyon Pullin (0) shoots over Kentucky Wildcats forward Ugonna Onyenso (33). The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Syndication: Ocala StarBanner
The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C.…
The Florida men’s basketball team hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, January 6, 2024 during the first half. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Zyon Pullin #0 of the Florida Gators reacts after making a…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Zyon Pullin #0 of the Florida Gators reacts after making a shot during the second half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the second half of a game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Riley Kugel #2 of the Florida Gators shoots the ball during…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Riley Kugel #2 of the Florida Gators shoots the ball during the second half of a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Tre Mitchell #4 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball during…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Tre Mitchell #4 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots the ball during the second half of a game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball against…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball against Denzel Aberdeen #11 of the Florida Gators during the first half of a game at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Aaron Bradshaw #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats blocks a shot by…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Aaron Bradshaw #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats blocks a shot by Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators during the second half of a game at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Kentucky v Florida
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts to making a…
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 06: Reed Sheppard #15 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts to making a three point basket during the second half of a game against the Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on January 06, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
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By: Adam Dubbin
Title: PHOTOS: Highlights from Florida basketball's loss vs Kentucky Wildcats
Sourced From: gatorswire.usatoday.com/gallery/florida-basketball-kentucky-wildcats-highlights-sec-opener/
Published Date: Sat, 06 Jan 2024 20:12:06 +0000
