Florida Crushes Alabama 104-82, Advances to SEC Final

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Florida Crushes Alabama 104-82, Advances to SEC Final \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Walter Clayton Jr. scored 22 points, leading No. 4 Florida to a 104-82 rout of No. 5 Alabama in the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday. Alijah Martin and Will Richard each added 16 points as the Gators (29-4) used a dominant second half to pull away from the Crimson Tide. Florida now moves on to face No. 8 Tennessee in Sunday’s championship game after the Volunteers edged No. 3 Auburn 70-65. Alabama (25-8) struggled defensively in the second half, ending its bid for a third SEC tournament title in five years.

Florida vs. Alabama: Quick Looks

Florida dominates the second half to defeat Alabama 104-82 and advance to the SEC Championship Game.
Walter Clayton Jr. led the Gators with 22 points, going 6-for-11 from three-point range while adding six assists.
Alijah Martin and Will Richard each scored 16 points, helping Florida pull away after a competitive first half.
The Gators outscored Alabama 57-37 in the second half, breaking open what had been a tight 47-45 game at halftime.
Chris Youngblood (14 points), Clifford Omoruyi (12 points), and Mouhamed Dioubate (12 points) led Alabama, but the Crimson Tide defense collapsed down the stretch.
Florida’s defense stepped up, holding Alabama to 82 points—well below their season average. Alabama had scored 90+ points in 18 games this season, the most in Division I.
A key moment came with 9:24 remaining, when Will Richard buried a three-pointer to extend Florida’s lead to 21 points, effectively sealing the game.
Up Next: Florida faces No. 8 Tennessee in Sunday’s SEC Championship Game after the Volunteers defeated No. 3 Auburn 70-65 in the other semifinal.
Alabama awaits Selection Sunday, where they are expected to earn a strong NCAA Tournament seed after 10 wins over AP Top 25 teams this season.

Deep Look

In a showcase of offensive firepower, No. 4 Florida overwhelmed No. 5 Alabama 104-82 in the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday, securing a spot in the conference championship game against No. 8 Tennessee. Led by Walter Clayton Jr.’s 22-point performance, the Gators (29-4) broke away in the second half, outscoring the Crimson Tide 57-37 after halftime.

Alabama (25-8) entered the matchup with high hopes of securing its third SEC tournament title in five seasons, but despite a competitive first half, the Crimson Tide defense faltered under Florida’s relentless offensive attack. Clayton’s sharp shooting and a well-balanced Gators squad ultimately proved too much, ending Alabama’s tournament run and leaving them waiting for Selection Sunday to determine their NCAA Tournament seeding.

A Competitive First Half Turns into Florida’s Show

The game started as a fast-paced, back-and-forth battle between two of the SEC’s top teams. The first half featured 10 lead changes, with Alabama and Florida trading baskets in an offensive display that showcased both teams’ firepower. At the break, the Gators held a narrow 47-45 lead, setting the stage for what appeared to be a closely contested game.

But that all changed in the second half.

Florida came out of the locker room with an aggressive approach, attacking Alabama’s defense and finding open looks from beyond the arc. Clayton was deadly from long range, hitting six three-pointers on 11 attempts while also dishing out six assists. Alijah Martin and Will Richard each contributed 16 points, helping Florida build a commanding lead.

As Alabama struggled to respond, the Gators capitalized on every mistake, pushing the pace and forcing the Tide into defensive breakdowns. The turning point came with 9:24 left in the second half, when Richard sank a deep three-pointer to give Florida a 21-point lead, all but sealing the game. From that moment on, the Crimson Tide never seriously threatened.

Alabama’s Chris Youngblood (14 points), Clifford Omoruyi (12 points), and Mouhamed Dioubate (12 points) tried to keep the game within reach, but they struggled to match Florida’s scoring efficiency. Despite entering the contest as one of the most explosive offensive teams in the nation, Alabama simply couldn’t keep up once Florida found its rhythm.

Florida’s Defensive Effort Stands Out

While the Gators’ offensive dominance grabbed headlines, their defense was just as impressive. Alabama had scored 90 or more points in 18 games this season—the most in Division I—but Florida’s defensive intensity held them to 82.

Florida forced tough shots, contested perimeter attempts, and prevented Alabama from getting easy transition baskets. As the second half wore on, Alabama’s rhythm on offense disappeared, leading to forced shots and frustration.

“We knew coming in they were going to play fast,” Florida head coach Todd Golden said after the game. “We just had to match their energy and make stops when it mattered most.”

By limiting Alabama’s high-octane offense, Florida neutralized one of the Tide’s biggest strengths. This defensive effort will be critical in Sunday’s SEC Championship Game against Tennessee, another team that thrives in up-tempo situations.

What’s Next: Florida vs. Tennessee in the SEC Title Game

With the win, Florida advances to face No. 8 Tennessee in the SEC Championship Game. The two teams split their regular-season matchups, each winning on their home court, setting up what should be an exciting rubber match for the conference crown.

Tennessee secured its spot in the final with a 70-65 victory over No. 3 Auburn, leaning on strong defense and late-game composure. Both teams have been playing their best basketball down the stretch, making Sunday’s final a matchup to watch.

For Alabama, the loss means their SEC tournament run is over, but their season is far from finished. With 10 wins over AP Top 25 teams this season—a program record—the Crimson Tide should still receive a strong NCAA Tournament seed. The focus now shifts to Selection Sunday, where Alabama will learn its path in March Madness.

“We’re not done,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said. “We’ll learn from this and be ready for the NCAA Tournament.”

Florida, however, has one more goal before shifting its attention to March Madness—winning the SEC title. If they play with the same intensity they showed against Alabama, the Gators could be lifting the trophy on Sunday.