Missouri men’s basketball falls to No. 1 Florida 72-49

ATLANTA (AP) – Scottie Wilbekin scored 15 points and No. 1 Florida remained unbeaten in the Southeastern Conference, using one of its customary spurts to rout Missouri 72-49 in the quarterfinals of the league tournament Friday.

The game was tied 29-29 at halftime, and the Tigers were still in the game with about 10 minutes to go. That’s when Wilbekin and the Gators (30-2) suddenly took control.

After Will Yeguete laid one in off a nifty pass from Kasey Hill, Florida pressed the inbounds pass, Wilbekin came up with a steal, then got free in the corner for a 3-pointer. Missouri missed at the other end, Patric Young connected on a short hook and just like that, the Gators had stretched a two-point lead to 45-36.

They blew it open from there, sinking one 3-pointer after another to win in a breeze.

Florida advanced to face the winner of Tennessee-South Carolina game.