Vanderbilt clinched a first round bye in the SEC tournament with a 77-67 win over Florida on Senior Night at Memorial Gym in Nashville. The Commodores shot 52 percent from the field and 50 percent from the behind the arc clinching the win with a 47-point second half. The 'Dores had lost six games at home this season, a rarity at Memorial but the Gators got their best effort in an emotional final home game for a successful senior class.
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Florida shot just 33 percent from three-point range, losing pace with Vandy in the second half. Brad Beal led the Gators with 16 points, stepping up in the final 20 minutes to keep Florida in it. But Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker were just a combined four of 14 from downtown. Walker finished with 15 while Boynton added 11. Vandy shot more than double the amount of free-throws and the Gators could not keep up.
Having lost two in a row and at 10-5 in the SEC, Florida now hosts the No.1 team in the country as the Kentucky Wildcats come to Gainesville on Sunday afternoon to finish off the regular season.
For more news, analysis and discussion on the Gators, drop by SB Nation's blog on Florida, Alligator Army. For the opponent's perspective, check out Anchor Of Gold, SB Nation's Vanderbilt blog. For all your college hoops news as March Madness heats up, follow along at SB Nation's NCAA basketball hub.