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With late flourish, No. 1 Florida blows out Missouri 72-49 in quarterfinals of SEC tournament

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Florida guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) shoots over Missouri forward Ryan Rosburg (44) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference men's tournament, Friday, March 14, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (The Associated Press)

Florida guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) shoots as Missouri guard Earnest Ross (33) looks on during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference men's tournament, Friday, March 14, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) (The Associated Press)

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.