No. 4 Florida turned a tight first half into a runaway victory, defeating No. 5 Alabama 104-82 in the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday. Senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. led the way with 22 points and six assists, helping the Gators (29-4) pull away in the second half and secure a spot in Sunday’s championship game against No. 8 Tennessee.
Alijah Martin and Will Richard each added 16 points for Florida, which won its fifth straight game in impressive fashion. The Gators, who led by just two at halftime, erupted in the final 20 minutes to outscore Alabama 57-37, putting the game out of reach.
Florida and Alabama traded blows in a thrilling first half that featured 10 lead changes, with the Gators taking a slim 47-45 advantage into the break. But once the second half began, Florida’s intensity on both ends of the floor overwhelmed the Crimson Tide.
Clayton’s outside shooting was a key factor, as he went 6-for-11 from three-point range, stretching Alabama’s defense. The Gators also clamped down on the Tide’s high-powered offense, which entered the game averaging over 90 points per contest.
Richard delivered the dagger with 9:24 remaining, drilling a three-pointer to extend Florida’s lead to 21 points, sealing the victory.
The Crimson Tide (25-8) came into the tournament with hopes of capturing their third SEC Tournament championship in five years, but Florida’s second-half dominance ended those aspirations. Chris Youngblood led Alabama with 14 points, while Clifford Omoruyi and Mouhamed Dioubate each contributed 12.
Despite the loss, Alabama’s strong season—highlighted by a program-record 10 wins over AP Top 25 opponents—has positioned them well for an NCAA Tournament berth.
The Gators held Alabama, the highest-scoring team in Division I, to just 82 points. The Crimson Tide had previously scored 90 or more in 18 games this season. Florida dominated after halftime, outscoring Alabama by 20 in the final 20 minutes. The senior guard was lethal from deep, knocking down six three-pointers and adding six assists.
Florida will face No. 8 Tennessee in Sunday’s SEC Championship Game. The two teams split their regular-season meetings, with each winning at home. Alabama, meanwhile, awaits its NCAA Tournament seeding, hoping for a strong placement after an impressive season.
