Gators’ supporting cast irrelevant in SEC Tournament loss to Kentucky
Despite star guard Kiara Smith’s career-high performance, Florida fell to No. 17 Kentucky on day two of the SEC Tournament March 4, 2021 | 6:29pm EST After eclipsing 1,000 career points in Wednesday s win over Auburn, star Florida guard Kiara Smith dropped a career-high 36 points accounting for 56.2% of the Gators’ points. Photo from UF-Kentucky game Feb. 1. Photo by Grethel Aguila | The Independent Florida Alligator
Up two points with around two minutes left in the final quarter, Kentucky guard Rhyne Howard used a ball screen to gain leverage on Florida forward Faith Dut en route to the basket.
Auburn's season, as well as Unique Thompson's storied career, ended in the SEC Tournament with a 69-62 loss to Florida. The Tigers finish the season 5-19 and 0-15 in SEC play.
Kiki Smith scored 19 points, Danielle Rainey added 13 and 12th-seeded Florida opened the Southeastern Conference tournament with a 69-62 win over 13th-seeded Auburn on Wednesday after blowing an 18-point third quarter lead. Both teams had a pair of double-digit runs in the second half, the Gators getting the last one that was enough to propel them into the quarterfinals against fifth-seeded and 17th-ranked Kentucky on Thursday. Auburn, trailing by 18, closed third quarter with a 12-0 run and scored another 11 straight after a Florida basket to open the fourth quarter, taking a 57-54 lead.
Gators vs Wildcats Preview
As Florida advances in the SEC tournament, they prepare to face a tough-to-beat Kentucky. The Wildcats earned the No. 5 seed in the tournament after finishing (9-6) in conference play.
The Wildcats are averaging 73.4 points per game this season, making 43.3 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from the three. They are limiting their opponents to an average of 65.3 points per game.
On the other hand, the Gators are averaging 73.3 points per game while allowing their opponents to score an average of 70 points.
Florida is averaging 27.1 from the field goal range while shooting .316 from behind the arch.
Florida Guard Kiki Smith drives past Kentucky Gurad. (photo courtesy of Florida Gators Women’s Basketball Instagram)