Florida drops crucial SEC game to Vanderbilt

Florida Gators guard Riley Kugel #24 during the first half as the Florida Gators mens basketball team hosts the University of Georgia Bulldogs at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Florida. January 7th, 2023. Gator Country Photo by David Bowie.After playing six of their last nine games on the road, Florida returned home to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in their 12th conference game of the season.

The Gators dropped to 13-12 (6-6 SEC) after falling 88-80 inside the Stephen O’Connell Center, ending Florida’s nine-game winning streak over the Commodores.

Vanderbilt threw the first punch, sinking their first six shots of the game and climbing out to an early 14-8 lead, the first of 15 total lead…