Kentucky Falls to Florida in SEC Quarterfinals
Denzel Aberdeen scored 17 points, but Kentucky fell to top-seeded Florida 71-63 on Friday in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Southeastern Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Kentucky (21-13) got 14 points from Mo Dioubate and 10 from Otega Oweh. The Cats struggled offensively, making just 21 of 59 (35.6 percent) from the floor, including 5 of 23 (21.7 percent) from behind the arc. The Gators dominated the glass, grabbing 50 rebounds compared to just 29 for UK.
Florida scored the first three points of the game before Malachi Moreno got the Cats on the board and within one. The Gators scored five in a row before Oweh scored to cut the deficit to 8-4. The Gators would score again to lead by six.
Oweh connected to cut the deficit to 10-6, but Florida scored six in a row to build the lead to 16-6. Dioubate scored to cut the deficit to eight but Florida answered to lead 18-8.
That’s when Dioubate brought the Cats back. He hit two free throws and later hit two three-pointers, the second of which cut the deficit to 20-18. And when Jasper Johnson scored, the game was tied at 20 apiece. However, the Gators scored the next 13 points to establish a double-digit lead.
Kentucky fought back, with a Aberdeen layup, two Brandon Garrison free throws and a Doiubate layup to cut the deficit to 33-26. The Gators scored four straight but Aberdeen hit two free throws and Florida took a 37-28 lead into the half.
Oweh got the second-half scoring going, getting the Cats within seven. However, the Gators scored the next six points to lead by 13. Dioubate scored underneath to cut the deficit to 43-32, but the Gators scored the next six to lead by 17.
Moreno and Aberdeen scored on dunks to cut into the Florida lead but the Gators made a free throw to lead 50-36. Moreno hit a pair at the line but Florida made four in a row to extend their lead to 54-38.
Andrija Jelavic scored underneath and Collin Chandler hit a three to cut the deficit to 54-43. After two Florida free throws, UK got a free throw from Garrison and a dunk from Oweh to cut the deficit to 56-46. However, Florida scored the next four in a row to lead by 14.
Aberdeen hit a free throw, then Garrison made one before a Florida basket. Aberdeen hit a three to cut the UF lead to 62-51. Chandler then made three free throws and Aberdeen made two more to get UK within six, 62-56. Florida made two free throws to lead by eight.
Aberdeen scored at the rim, but Florida responded to lead 66-58. Aberdeen hit a three to cut the deficit to 66-61 with 1:21 remaining. However, the Cats would get no closer.
Kentucky now awaits the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Sunday, where the Cats will find out their opponent and destination for next week’s first and second rounds.
