March 7, 2009
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Walter Hodge scored 18 points, Erving Walker added 10 and Florida stopped a three-game losing skid with a 60-53 victory against Kentucky on Saturday.
The Wildcats dropped their fourth straight and eighth of their last 11 games – a slide that could keep the storied Southeastern Conference program out of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991.
Kentucky (18-12, 8-8 SEC) likely will have to win the conference tournament in Tampa next week to make the school’s 18th consecutive NCAA tournament.
Even with the win, the Gators (22-9, 9-7) could end up in the NIT for the second straight year, but they certainly improved their chances of getting back to the NCAA tournament. Florida still might need to win a couple of games in the SEC tournament.
