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Kentucky women beat Florida in game marred by scuffle

Associated Press

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Florida's Tatyana Wyche (2) and Kentucky's Jada Walker (11) scuffle in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Several players from both teams were ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Florida's KK Deans (3), listens to head coach Kelly Rae Finley in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Kentucky's head coach Kyra Elzy talks to players during the Florida game in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Kentucky's head coach Kyra Elzy wears fancy shoes during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Florida during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Florida's Tatyana Wyche (2), far right, is held by teammate Faith Dut (25) during a scuffle with Kentucky players in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Several players from both teams were ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
An official tries to stop a scuffle between Florida's Tatyana Wyche (2), far right, and Kentucky's Jada Walker (11), center, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Several players from both teams were ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
An official gets between Florida's Tatyana Wyche (2), at far right, and Kentucky's Jada Walker (11) aduring a scuffle in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Several players from both teams were ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Florida's head coach Kelly Rae Finley, second from right, looks down the bench with Kentucky's head coach Kyra Elzy, far right, with game officials as they are told who is being ejected from the game after a fight in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Kentucky's Jada Walker (11) fights through two Florida players in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Florida's Jordyn Merritt, center, tries to get a shot off against the Kentucky defense in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Florida's Nina Rickards (15), tries to get a shot off against Kentucky's Ajae Petty (13) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)
Florida's Jeriah Warren (20), tries to get a loose ball against Kentucky's Blair Green (5) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

Florida's Tatyana Wyche (2) and Kentucky's Jada Walker (11) scuffle in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during the Southeastern Conference women's tournament in Greenville, S.C., Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Several players from both teams were ejected from the game. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Robyn Benton scored 20 points, Adebola Adeyeye had 11 points and 17 rebounds and No. 14 Kentucky beat 11th-seeded Florida 72-57 on Wednesday in an SEC Tournament game marred by a scuffle.

Kentucky (11-18) snapped a seven-game losing streak to advance to play No. 6 Alabama on Thursday.

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The game had a 22-minute delay for an official review following an altercation between Florida forward Tatyana Wyche and Kentucky forward Ajae Petty with 5:26 remaining in the second quarter. Wyche threw the ball in the direction of Petty and then chased after her down the court. No punches appeared to be thrown, but several players left the bench area leading to eight ejections — four from each team.

“Well, obviously that’s not how we want to represent ourselves as Florida women’s basketball and in the competitive spirit,” Florida coach Kelly Rae Finley said. “So first and foremost, I apologize for that because that is not representative of the SEC, University of Florida, or how we compete.”

When the game finally reached halftime, the score was 22-21. The short-handed teams adjusted at the break, combining for 41 points in the third quarter with Kentucky leading 43-41.

Kentucky, the defending SEC Tournament champions, pulled away during an 10-0 run in the fourth quarter for a 66-52 lead. Florida struggled from the floor in the fourth quarter, missing seven straight shots early and six consecutive shots in the closing four minutes.

Nina Rickards scored 19 points and Alberte Rimdal added 15 for Florida (16-14). Rickards completed a three-point play with 2:15 left in the third quarter to give Florida its first lead, 41-39, since it was 4-2.

The Gators played without Ra Shaya Kyle, Faith Dut, and sisters Taliyah and Tatyana Wyche in the second half. The Wildcats were without Cassidy Rowe, Eniya Russell, Zennia Thomas and Saniah Tyler after the altercation as well.

___ AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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