Walter Clayton Jr led the No. 4 Florida Gators to a 95-81 victory over seventh-seeded Missouri in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Friday night. The win advances Florida to the semifinals, where it will face fifth-ranked Alabama.
The second-seeded Gators (28-4) dominated the game from start to finish, shooting 62% from the floor and holding off a late surge by Missouri. Walter Clayton Jr scored 18 points, while Will Richard and Alijah Martin added 17 apiece. Florida’s strong team performance was boosted by its ability to force just 16 turnovers, limiting Missouri’s scoring opportunities.
Missouri played without junior Mark Mitchell, who sat out with a knee injury, and struggled to keep up with the Gators’ pace. The Tigers fell behind early and could only narrow the deficit to four points in the second half before Florida put the game out of reach.
The win marks Florida’s first quarterfinals victory since 2022, while Missouri falls to 22-11. The Tigers wait for their next opponent on Selection Sunday. With Alabama looming, Florida looks poised to make a deep run in the tournament.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap/_/gameId/401744170