Gators Defeat Tigers: Florida Advances in SEC Tournament

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The second-seeded Florida Gators dominated the No. 7 seed Missouri Tigers, securing a 95-81 victory in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals on March 14, 2025. Florida’s win saw them shoot an impressive 62% from the field, overpowering Missouri’s efforts and setting up a semifinal matchup with fifth-seeded Alabama.

Walter Clayton Jr. led Florida with 18 points, while Tamar Bates topped Missouri with 16. The Gators started strong, launching into a 10-0 run early in the game, and maintained a 50-37 lead at halftime.

Missouri’s leading scorer, Mark Mitchell, was sidelined due to a knee injury as head coach Dennis Gates aimed to keep him healthy for the NCAA Tournament. Without him, the Tigers struggled to keep up with Florida’s fast pace. ”Student-athlete health is our top priority at Mizzou,” Gates stated. ”I have elected to not play Mark tonight in order to prevent any further injury and allow his knee to fully recover,”

Despite falling behind early, Missouri managed to close the gap to four points in the second half. However, Florida responded decisively, with Alijah Martin delivering a crucial dunk to push the lead back to 10 points with under 10 minutes left. Florida capitalized on Missouri’s 16 turnovers, creating 22 points off those mistakes.

The Gators’ exceptional shooting performance included 38% from three-point range, a stark contrast to Missouri’s 25%. The Tigers’ inability to convert key opportunities—such as several missed shots after fast breaks—proved costly. ”There was no room for error,” Bates reflected on the game. ”We needed to capitalize on our chances, but they were just too good tonight.”

Florida’s coach, Todd Golden, praised his team’s efficiency. ”I thought our guys played hard and smart, especially offensively, making the right reads,” he said. ”Being able to score efficiently opens up the floor and sets the tone.”

With this win, Florida improved its record to 29-4, while Missouri’s season ended, leaving them with a 22-11 record as they await their fate on Selection Sunday.