
Chaz Lanier, Jordan Gainey lift No. 8 Tennessee over No. 5 Florida, 64-44
Tennessee took the lead at the end of the first half when Cade Phillips and Darlinstone Dubar had back-to-back blocks before Lanier drilled a 3-pointer. Clayton went down with a left ankle injury with 1:07 left.
Florida: Thomas Haugh, a 6-foot-9 power forward, has emerged as one of the top sixth men in the country. His contributions off the bench have been significant. Center Micah Handlogten, who sustained a gruesome ankle injury at the SEC Tournament last year, was considering a comeback in February, but has decided to sit out the year.
Tennessee: If the Vols are going to have a strong finish to the season and a deep run in the postseason, senior point guard Zeigler will need to be healthy. He injured his right knee Tuesday against Kentucky.
From the end of the first half to the first few minutes of the second, Tennessee had a 14-2 run that put the Vols ahead 30-21. Gainey had six of those points.
The Vols hit their first six shots of the second half to increase their lead to double digits.
Florida will host No. 24 Vanderbilt on Tuesday night. Tennessee will host No. 20 Missouri on Wednesday night.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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