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Kentucky completes unbeaten regular season

Mar 8, 2015 - 1:40 AM Lexington, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - Kentucky did the expected and completed an undefeated regular season by downing Florida 67-50 on Saturday in front of the Rupp Arena faithful.

The Wildcats' run to perfection has been somewhat predictable but nevertheless impressive. All but six of their 18 conference wins came by double digits, and they head into the SEC Tournament as the first program from a power conference to complete an unbeaten regular season since Indiana in 1975-76.

Karl-Anthony Towns was a force at both ends, totaling 13 points, nine rebounds and six blocks, while Trey Lyles added 14 points for the Wildcats (31-0, 18-0 SEC), who forced 17 turnovers and led the entire second half.

"The perfect season doesn't matter to us," Towns admitted. "A national championship is what matters to us. That's what our goal is."

Kasey Hill and Dorian Finney-Smith led the Gators (15-16, 8-10) with 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Neither team led by more than five in an evenly-matched first half.

Lyles led all scorers with 10 points, including a late uncontested dunk off a terrific wraparound pass out of a double team from Towns.

A goaltending violation at the buzzer cut UK's lead to 30-27, but the Gators never got over the hump after the break.

The Wildcats began pulling away with a 7-0 run midway through the second half.

Devin Booker opened the stretch with a 3-pointer, Tyler Ulis made a layup off a Lyles steal and Towns scored inside for a 51-41 lead with just over eight minutes remaining.

The closest Florida got from there was eight.

"The first thing I want to say is congratulations to (Kentucky head coach) John (Calipari) and his team. What they've done may not happen again for a long, long time," Florida head coach Billy Donovan said.

Game Notes

Kentucky set a school record for home wins at 19 ... Florida became the first team to go 18-0 in SEC play last season ... Kentucky seniors Tod Lanter, Brian Long and Sam Malone were inserted into the starting lineup and were on the court at the final buzzer ... Florida has never beaten a No. 1 team in the regular season.