Vanderbilt swamps Florida, defeating Gators in SEC Tournament semifinal blowout
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Florida saw its 12-game winning streak in a blowout loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament semifinal. The No. 4 seed Commodores thumped the top-seed Gators 91-74 to move on to Sunday’s tournament title game.
Vanderbilt opened up a double-digit lead in the first half and never looked back. It was a 13-point difference at the half (47-34) that reached 25 points in the second half, Florida’s largest deficit in 3 years.
The Commodores shot well all game, making 55% of its field-goal attempts, including 48% from 3-point territory.
Florida opened the game shooting 11-of-30 from the field in the first half. The Gators shot better in the second half to finish 36-of-57 for the game, but didn’t help the comeback effort making only 5-of-17 3-point attempts (29%).
The Gators committed 14 turnovers to Vandy’s 8, and the Commodores cashed in. Vanderbilt managed 24 points off turnovers, besting UF’s 14.
Tyler Tanner was the game’s high scorer with 20 points. Jalen Washington (17 points), Duke Miles (15 points), Devin McGlockton (12 points) and AK Okereke made it 5 Commodores in double figures.
With the win, Vanderbilt will play either 3-seed Arkansas or 11-seed Ole Miss in Sunday’s SEC Tournament Championship Game. Florida, meanwhile, heads back to Gainesville waiting to learn on Selection Sunday if it did enough to secure a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance.
Will Vandy win the SEC Tournament? Kalshi is taking prediction action!
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
