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Live Blog: Tennessee Volunteers 64, Florida Gators 44

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•about 7 hours•

ZachAbolverdi

Walter-Clayton-Jr-Florida-Gators
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. (Randy Sartin-Imagn Images)

The No. 5 Florida Gators had their three-game winning streak snapped Saturday with a 64-44 blowout loss at No. 8 Tennessee.

Below are live updates from the Gators (18-3, 5-3 SEC) vs. the Vols (18-4, 5-4 SEC).

Florida vs. Tennessee Live Blog

FINAL: TENNESSEE 64, FLORIDA 44

The Gators were held to their fewest points since the 2023 NIT loss to UCF (67-49) and suffered their first 20-point loss since the 2022-23 season, failing to score in the final 2:54.

UF had its worst shooting performance in 2024-25 (13-for-53, 24.5%), including 14.5% beyond the arc (4-for-27). The Vols shot 40% and 44% from 3 in the second half (4-for-9).

SCORE UPDATE: TENNESSEE 58, FLORIDA 40 (3:33 2H)

The Gators have made just two of their last 10 field goal attempts. They’re shooting even worse in the second half (5-for-22, 22.7%) than they did in the first period (7-for-27, 25.9%).

SCORE UPDATE: TENNESSEE 46, FLORIDA 33 (8:00 2H)

The Gators are 2-for-20 from downtown, their worst 3-point shooting performance (so far) since 2023 against Vandy (2-for-20 beyond the arc). Alijah Martin is still scoreless and now 0-for-9 from the floor.

SCORE UPDATE: TENNESSEE 46, FLORIDA 33 (10:07 2H)

The Vols have their biggest lead of the game with back-to-back 3-pointers, while the Gators have made just one of their last eight shots. Alijah Martin is 0-for-7, Denzel Aberdeen is 0-for-4 and Will Richard has just two points.

SCORE UPDATE: TENNESSEE 36, FLORIDA 26 (15:55 2H)

The Vols have their biggest lead of the game and have outscored the Gators 12-5 to open the second half, including a 6-0 start. Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. (ankle) has returned to the starting lineup.

HALF: TENNESSEE 24, FLORIDA 21

Fewest points in a first half this season by the Gators, who committed eight turnovers and were outrebounded on the offensive glass. Walter Clayton Jr. has a team-high 10 points but left the game an apparent left ankle injury.

Both teams shot 2-for-13 from downtown in the first half. Florida was just 26% from the floor (7-for-27) and Tennessee didn’t shoot much better at 29% (9-for-31).

SCORE UPDATE: FLORIDA 17, TENNESSEE 16 (3:20 1H)

The Gators and Vols are shooting under 30% so far. Florida held Tennessee without a field goal for over four minutes since the last media timeout, but they have committed seven turnovers in this half.

SCORE UPDATE: TENNESSEE 14, FLORIDA 13 (7:06 1H)

The Vols have their first lead as Chaz Lanier hits the team’s first 3-pointer after a 0-for-7 start beyond the arc. The Gators haven’t scored in almost five minutes (4:57) with six straight missed shots.

SCORE UPDATE: FLORIDA 13, TENNESSEE 9 (11:12 1H)

Sam Alexis with four points off the bench with back-to-back mid-range jumpers and Walter Clayton Jr. has a pair of 3-pointers (team-high eight points). The Vols are 0-for-6 from downtown.

SCORE UPDATE: FLORIDA 6, TENNESSEE 4 (15:09 1H)

The Gators opened the game 0-for-5 before a 3-pointer by Walter Clayton Jr., who has five points early. UF is shooting 14% to start (1-for-7), but the Vols are also struggling from the floor at 20% (2-10).

Florida Gators starters

No.PlayerPositionHeight/WeightClassMin.Pts.Rebs.Misc.
1Walter Clayton Jr.Guard6-2, 195 poundsSr.31.717.83.44.0 ast
15Alijah MartinGuard6-2, 210 poundsSr.30.616.15.22.7 ast
5Will RichardGuard6-4, 206 poundsSr.31.813.64.92.0 stl
21Alex CondonForward6-11, 230 poundsSo.25.910.78.21.5 blk
9Rueben ChinyeluCenter6-10, 260 poundsSo.19.65.47.11.0 blk

Tennessee Volunteers starters

No.PlayerPositionHeight/WeightClassMin.Pts.Rebs.Misc.
11Jordan GaineyGuard6-3, 186 poundsSr.34.210.83.21.7 ast
15Jahmai MashakGuard6-4, 202 poundsSr.27.75.93.82.0 stl
2Chaz LanierGuard6-6, 192 pounds5th30.017.83.13.5 3fg
8Darlinstone DubarForward6-8, 211 poundsSr.10.63.92.60.4 ast
34Felix OkparaForward6-11, 235 poundsJr.24.07.36.51.7 blk

Florida-Tennessee injury report

Tennessee starting point guard Zakai Zeigler and forward J.P. Estrella are both out for Saturday’s game along with Florida center Micah Handlogten.

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