Florida Gators Defeat Tennessee 86-77 to Win SEC Championship

The Florida Gators captured their first SEC Tournament Championship since 2014, defeating the Tennessee Volunteers 86-77 at Bridgestone Arena. Florida established an early lead, maintaining a nine-point advantage at halftime and responding effectively to Tennessee's late-game push led by Jordan Gainey, who scored 24 points. Despite Tennessee's efforts, including a strong performance from Zakai Zeigler with 23 points, the Vols struggled with foul trouble that sidelined key players at critical moments. Walter Clayton Jr. was pivotal for Florida, scoring 22 points and earning tournament MVP honors, while the Gators dominated rebounds and scoring in the paint. With this victory, Florida (30-4) heads into the NCAA Tournament with significant momentum, while Tennessee (28-7) awaits their selection as a likely No. 2 seed. Both teams showcased their strengths throughout the tournament, but Florida's consistency ultimately secured them the title.