JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Kentucky outscored Florida by 20 points in the second quarter and the Gators never recovered, as the No. 13-ranked and fifth-seeded Wildcats earned the 92-69 win in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Southeastern Conference Tournament played Friday at Jacksonville's Veterans Memorial Arena.
Kentucky couldn't find the bottom of the net in the first quarter when it converted just 3-17 shots and fourth-seeded Florida took advantage by outscoring the Wildcats, 16-9.
The second quarter couldn't have been more different, as everything Kentucky throw at the net seemed to fall en route to a 33-13 second-frame advantage for a 42-29 halftime lead over the Gators.
Florida was led in scoring by senior Carlie Needles' 15 points, all of which came from beyond the arc. Freshman Eleanna Christinaki added 12 points and junior Ronni Williams 10, along with a team-high 8 rebounds for the Gators, who were outrebounded, 51-34, its largest discrepancy of the year.
Florida ripped out of the gates with its first four field goals coming from beyond the arc, with Needles canning the first two and Cassie Peoples and Carla Batchelor the others. January Miller added a driving layup and the Gators held a quick 14-4 lead just 5:28 into the game.
After the teams traded buckets, Kentucky scored seven consecutive points and got within three, before Williams and Simone Westbrook combined for five points and held an eight-point cushion, 21-13, with 8:02 remaining in the first half.
That's when Kentucky ripped off a devastating, 29-8 run to end the half and Florida's lead was flipped into a 42-29 halftime deficit.
The Wildcats hit 13-of-20 shots (65 percent) during the second quarter, while the Gators managed just 6-21 from the floor during the crucial quarter.
Florida cut its deficit to nine points twice during the third quarter, the last time coming with 4:44 remaining, however, the Wildcats responded with a three-point-play and after one free throw from Williams, scored the next eight points for a 64-45 lead and the Gators never threatened again.
Kentucky advances to the SEC Tournament quarterfinals where it will play top-seeded South Carolina on Saturday at 5 p.m.