Here is the latest SEC sports news from The Associated Press
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Arkansas coach John Calipari matched the worst margin of defeat in his 34-year career. It came in a 111-77 loss at No. 7 Florida. Calipari looked like he would top the mark until D.J. Wagner hit a 3-pointer in the final minute. His other 34-point loss came while he was at Kentucky in 2018. That one came against Duke. The game was mostly a debacle for Arkansas. Florida built a double-digit lead early and stretched it 30 midway through the second half. The biggest drama came when Calipari and Florida’s Todd Golden screamed at each other early in the second half and drew double technicals.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Thomas Haugh scored 22 points, Rueben Chinyelu added his 17th double-double of the season and No. 7 Florida earned at least a share of the Southeastern Conference title with a resounding, 111-77 drubbing of 20th-ranked Arkansas. It tied the worst loss of Arkansas coach John Calipari’s career, a 34-pointer against Duke in 2018. Calipari was with Kentucky at the time. The Gators closed out an unbeaten February with their ninth consecutive win and locked up their first regular-season championship since 2014. They remained two games ahead of Alabama with two to play and can clinch the outright title Tuesday night at home. Billy Richmond III led the Razorbacks with 22 points.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Labaron Philon Jr. hit a jumper with 22.8 seconds left to lead No. 17 Alabama to a 71-69 win over No. 22 Tennessee. Latrell Wrightsell scored 25 points to lead the Crimson Tide and Philon came off the bench to score 15 of his 23 points in the second half. Aden Holloway added 12. The Vols missed three shots within five feet of the basket in the final seconds. Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 26 points and had eight steals and seven assists to lead the Volunteers, who lost their fourth SEC game after having a double-digit first-half lead. J.P. Estrella had 12 points.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Patton Pinkins made 8 of 10 from the field and finished with a career-high 26 points, AJ Storr also scored 26 points, and Mississippi beat Auburn 85-79 to snap a 10-game skid. Ole Miss (12-17, 4-12 SEC) also ended a 10-game losing streak against the Tigers. Auburn (15-14, 6-10 SEC), which has lost seven of its last eight, took a crushing blow to its NCAA Tournament hopes. Storr was 9-of-15 shooting and Pinkins made 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Tahaad Pettiford led Auburn with 24 points and Keyshawn Hall added 21. A 16-4 Auburn run made it a two-point game with 3:20 to go, but Ilias Kamardine answered with a 3 and Pinkins made 6 of 6 from the free-throw line from there to seal it.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Nijel Pack scored 21 points and Xzayvier Brown scored 20 points and Oklahoma used the second half to pull away from LSU for an 83-67 win. Max Mackinnon scored 17 points for LSU. Oklahoma went on a 10-0 run in the second half in less than 90 seconds to extend its lead to 69-52 with 8:30 left to play. Brown scored five — including a 3-pointer — and Pack added 3 during the run. LSU started the game scoring its first five points before the Sooners reeled off 10 straight, again in less than 90 seconds, and they never trailed again.
UNDATED (AP) — South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said on social media Saturday that the school is working to try and help a few former players return home from Israel where they are playing professionally. The trio of former Gamecocks — Tiffany Mitchell, Destiny Littleton and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan — are among about a half dozen former WNBA players who are playing basketball in Israel, which along with the United States, launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday. Staley said on X: “We are working a plan to get home. Let us pray for our loved ones to return home safely asap! Thank you in advance.”
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Mark Mitchell scored 17 points and Missouri walloped Mississippi State 88-64. Missouri led 54-23 at halftime on the strength of 61.3% (19 for 31) shooting. The Tigers finished shooting 51% (30 for 59). Josh Hubbard scored 16 points for Mississippi State. Missouri started with a 9-0 lead and never looked back. Trent Burns’ 3-pointer with 13:49 remaining before halftime and they led by double digits for the remainder.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The Alabama Supreme Court has denied a request by former professional basketball player Charles Bediako to play for the University of Alabama again this season while he appeals his eligibility case against the NCAA. According to online court records, the high court on Friday denied Bediako’s emergency motion for an interim injunction so he could play again for the Crimson Tide. Bediako said an expedited decision was needed because the end of the regular season and postseason tournaments are fast approaching. An email seeking comment was left with Bediako’s lawyer after regular business hours.
