Florida Holds On for 92-83 Win Over Rival Kentucky

Gators guard Xaivian Lee scores game-high 22 points in victory over Wildcats

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The 14th-ranked Florida Gators defeated the 25th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats 92-83 in a close SEC matchup. Florida guard Xaivian Lee led all scorers with 22 points, while teammates Urban Klavzar (19 points), Alex Condon (14 points, 11 rebounds), and Rueben Chinyelu (10 points, 11 rebounds) also had strong performances. Kentucky made a late push to cut the deficit to 5 points, but Florida hit key free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Why it matters

This win solidifies Florida's standing as the top team in the SEC and marks their first home victory over Kentucky since 2018. The rivalry between the two programs adds extra significance to the outcome, as Kentucky's Denzel Aberdeen faced his former teammate Boogie Fland, who transferred to Florida.

The details

Florida jumped out to a 22-8 lead early, making 8 of their first 10 shots. Kentucky fought back to cut the deficit to 5 points on multiple occasions, but the Gators were able to respond each time and maintain a comfortable lead for most of the game. Klavzar and Condon provided a big spark off the bench in the second half to help Florida pull away.

  • The game was played on February 14, 2026.
  • Florida led by as many as 16 points in the second half.

The players

Xaivian Lee

Florida Gators guard who scored a game-high 22 points.

Urban Klavzar

Florida Gators guard who scored 19 points off the bench.

Alex Condon

Florida Gators forward who recorded a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Rueben Chinyelu

Florida Gators center who had a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Denzel Aberdeen

Kentucky Wildcats guard who previously played for Florida before transferring to Kentucky.

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What’s next

Florida will host South Carolina on Tuesday, February 18, 2026 at 7pm ET on SEC Network.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory over a rival SEC opponent demonstrates Florida's status as an elite team in the conference, with contributions from multiple players highlighting their depth and balance. The Gators' ability to withstand Kentucky's late comeback efforts and hit clutch free throws down the stretch shows their poise and experience.