Walter Clayton Jr. comes up clutch as Florida upsets No. 10 Kentucky

Field Level Media|published: Wed 31st January, 22:52 2024

Jan 31, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. credits: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrese Samuel had a double-double, Walter Clayton Jr. made two crucial 3-pointers en route to 23 points and Florida upset No. 10 Kentucky 94-91 in overtime on Wednesday night in Lexington, Ky.

Samuel finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds and Clayton made a 3-pointer to force overtime and hit another to give the Gators (15-6, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) the lead for good in the extra session. Zyon Pullin added 21 points.

Reed Sheppard scored 24 points, Rob Dillingham had 20, Antonio Reeves scored 19 and Ugonna Onyenso had 13 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Wildcats (15-5, 5-3).

The score was tied at 86-all before Tre Mitchell made a free throw to give the Wildcats the lead with 2:49 left in overtime.

Clayton answered with his 3-pointer and Pullin made 3 of 4 free throws to give the Gators a 92-87 edge with 32 seconds left.

Pullin converted a three-point play and Will Richard added a 3-pointer to start the second-half scoring, giving Florida a 42-41 lead.

Consecutive dunks by Onyenso and Reeves gave the Wildcats a three-point advantage before Clayton's 3-pointer later pulled the Gators even at 47.

The score was tied once more and there were six lead changes before Pullin's jumper tied the score again at 58. It was knotted up twice more before Sheppard made a layup and Reeves canned a 3-pointer to help Kentucky take a 70-66 lead with 8:30 to go in regulation.

Micah Handlogten's layup and Clayton's 3-pointer gave Florida a one-point lead at 71-70, starting a series of three lead changes before the score was tied at 75 and 77.

Reeves made a jumper and added two free throws to put the Wildcats up 81-77 with 1:50 remaining.

Samuel's layup cut the lead in half, but Onyenso's bucket pushed it back to four with 37 seconds to play.

Another basket by Samuel cut the lead to two, and after Dillingham made 1 of 2 free throws, Clayton made his 3-pointer with five seconds left to force OT.

Kentucky took a 41-36 advantage into the break behind 11 points from Sheppard.

—Field Level Media