GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Dorian Finney-Smith scored 14 points, Eli Carter added 12 and Florida beat Auburn 75-55 Thursday night, winning its 24th consecutive Southeastern Conference game.
The Gators (10-6, 3-0 SEC) never trailed in this one, building a double-digit lead early and going up by as many as 24 early in the second half.
All 10 regulars scored, with Carter getting most of his in the first 20 minutes and Finney-Smith taking over after the break. Finney-Smith, who was limited in the first half because of foul trouble, scored just about every way imaginable. He had put-backs, tip-ins, made two 3-pointers and was perfect from the free-throw line.
Antoine Mason led Auburn (9-7, 1-2) with 13 points. Cinmeon Bowers added 11 points and 11 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season.
Florida shot 49 percent from the floor and was 7 of 17 from beyond the arc.
Mason hit consecutive 3-pointers from the top of the key, cutting Florida's lead to 63-50 with 5:42 to play. Jordan Granger added another trey from the corner, making it a 10-point game for the first time since midway through the first half.
But the Gators held on down the stretch despite struggling from the free-throw line (12 of 18).
Florida won its eighth straight in the series and tied Kentucky for the second-longest winning streak in the SEC over the last 50 years. The Wildcats own the league's modern-day record, having won 26 in a row during the 1995-96 seasons.
Florida's fast start had a lot to do with its latest victory. The Gators made 10 of their first 17 shots and used a 15-0 run to take a 26-8 lead early.
Auburn misfired early and often, missing 14 of its first 17 games. The Tigers had two lengthy field-goal droughts, going seven minutes without a bucket in the first half and then 10 minutes without a basket later.
Florida's Michael Frazier II, who came off the bench for the third consecutive game, chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds. Kasey Hill added 12 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
TIP-INS
Auburn: The Tigers haven't beaten Florida in the regular season since 1999 and haven't won in Gainesville since 1996. ... Auburn fell to 0-5 on the road this season. ... Coach Bruce Pearl is now 8-6 all-time against Florida.
Florida: The sons of former Florida coach and current Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp attended the game wearing Tigers gear. ... Center Jon Horford and walk-on Zach Hodskins returned from suspensions. Both missed the last two games after being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. ... Freshmen Chris Chiozza and Devin Robinson started their third consecutive game together. ... Florida students had some fun with Auburn's Malcolm Canada, chanting "U-S-A, U-S-A" every time he touched the ball.
UP NEXT
Auburn hosts South Carolina on Saturday.
Florida plays at Georgia on Saturday.