The Gators likely needed one more quality win to secure an NCAA Tournament berth. Tonight’s win over Tennessee should do the trick.
Chandler Parsons and Erving Walker scored 19 points each to lead the Gators (20-8, 9-4) past Tennessee (20-7, 8-5) in Gainesville.
Both teams played well in the first half, with Tennessee on fire from behind the arc and the Gators dominating the paint. The Gators closed the first half on a 10-2 run to knot the score at 37.
From there, it was all Florida.
The Gators went on a 27-6 run to turn a close game into a rout, eventually leading 70-50 with 3:04 to play.
Vernon Macklin scored 13 points and dominated the Vols inside, while Parsons and Walker were active on the break and from behind the arc.
Scotty Hopson lead Tennessee with 20 points, but had little help from the rest of his team as the Gators were very active on defense. Florida held a 34-25 rebound advantage.
Wayne Chism, who dominated the Gators in the first meeting, spent most of the game in foul trouble, eventually fouling out with seven points and one rebound.
The Gators held Tennessee to 39% from the field while shooting 51%.
With tonight’s win, Florida jumped Tennessee in the SEC East standings, and the Gators still have an outside shot at winning the division and earning a bye in the SEC Tournament.