Kentucky Rallies Past Florida for First SEC Win of Season

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Robyn Benton scored 17 of her 29 factors within the fourth quarter because the Kentucky ladies’s basketball workforce earned its first Southeastern Convention win of the season, topping Florida 81-75 on Sunday at Exactech Area.

Benton tied her profession excessive with the 29 factors, which got here on 9 of 19 capturing, together with certainly one of 4 from behind the arc, and an ideal 10-of-10 on the free throw line.

Kentucky (9-9, 1-5 SEC) acquired 19 factors from Jada Walker, who scored 10 within the fourth quarter as nicely. Maddie Scherr had 18 factors, six rebounds, 4 steals, three blocked photographs and three assists for the Cats.

The Cats used stress protection all through the sport, forcing the Gators into 24 turnovers, which included 17 steals. Kentucky had 28 factors off of turnovers, in comparison with simply 13 for Florida. UK additionally made 23 of 28 (82.1 p.c) from the free throw line within the sport.

Florida (12-6, 1-4)  acquired out to a 6-2 lead early within the sport and would lead 8-4 earlier than Kentucky acquired consecutive baskets from Scherr and Adebola Adeyeye to tie the sport at 8-8. Nonetheless, the Gators would rating the following seven factors and would lead 18-10 after one interval of play.

The Gators began sturdy within the second interval behind KK Deans, who made 4 three-pointers within the first two minutes of the interval, serving to Florida lengthen the result in 30-14. Nonetheless, Kentucky responded by scoring seven in a row, utilizing stress protection to maintain the Gators off the board for nearly 4 minutes. After Florida acquired a basket, the Cats scored six consecutive factors to chop the deficit to 32-27.

Kentucky would chip away on the Florida lead all through the third interval. The Gators would lead 46-40 earlier than Kentucky went on an 11-3 run, sparked by 5 factors from Walker, to guide for the primary time, 51-49. Florida would tie the sport at 51-51 however Scherr scored because the horn sounded and the Cats took a 53-51 lead into the ultimate quarter.

Florida tied the sport to start out the fourth quarter however that’s when Benton took over. The senior had a pair of basket-and-ones, accounting for six factors in an 8-0 run that gave the Cats a 61-53 lead with 8:52 to play.

The Gators would make yet another run on the Cats, getting inside two, 70-68, with 2:42 to play. However Benton and Walker had been clutch down the stretch, maintaining Florida at bay and securing the victory.

Kentucky returns to motion subsequent Sunday, visiting Mississippi State in SEC play. Tipoff is ready for 1 p.m. ET and the sport will be seen on the SEC Community.