NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Zakai Zeigler made a 3-pointer from the far wing with the clock ticking near halftime to cut the deficit to six points. Florida answered with a Denzel Aberdeen three as the buzzer sounded.

Each time Tennessee basketball tried to claw back, Florida answered. That is why the Gators ran away with the SEC Championship title, 86-77, over the Vols in Bridgestone Arena.

Rebounding and points in the paint proved to be a large difference-maker for the Gators. Florida out-rebounded the Vols 39-25, including a plus-10 advantage on the offensive end. In return, Tennessee found success with Jordan Gainey, who added a game-high 24 points.

Here’s how the Vols became runner-ups in the SEC on Sunday.

Early droughts plague Tennessee

A day after the Vols overcame multiple droughts against Auburn, Tennessee rediscovered the same struggles.

It did not look like offensive issues would arise in the first minutes. Tennessee started hot with the first bucket of the game from distance. Zakai Zeigler rose up from the wing and buried a triple to open the scoring, and Florida quickly answered with a Walter Clayton Jr. make from beyond the arc to tie the game.

Igor Milicic Jr. then paced the floor and put down a 3-pointer of his own, giving Tennessee the 6-3 lead less than a minute in. Then, struggles surmounted.

Tennessee went on to miss its next five shots en route to a four-minute drought, allowing Florida to take a 10-6 lead into the first media timeout.

Chaz Lanier broke it at the 15:06 mark with a 3-pointer, putting the Vols back on the board. Tennessee’s first three makes from the field were all 3-point shots.

Later in the half, it happened again.

Florida jumped out to a 32-20 lead behind more struggles from the field for Tennessee. The Vols went more than six minutes without a made basket. A Chaz Lanier jumper broke the drought with 4:52 remaining in the half, cutting the deficit back to 10 points.

Florida’s physicality too much for Tennessee

Tennessee struggled with physicality in the first matchup and did enough to not get overwhelmed in the second meeting. The third time around, the Vols were not as lucky.

Florida used its front-court depth to overpower Tennessee, dominating the game close to the basket. At the halftime break, the Gators held a 19-15 advantage on the glass while pulling in two more boards on the offensive end.

The flow of the game was determined in the paint. Florida ran the court and found quick looks inside, while the Vols settled on 3-point shots. After 20 minutes of play, the Gators had 16 points inside compared to Tennessee’s four. It was a large and noticeable discrepancy.

Tennessee’s starting front-court provided three points at the break. They all came from a Milicic three in the opening minute.

Gainey takeover

Tennessee’s sixth man took over halfway through the second half. The senior guard willed the Vols back within five points with his scoring efforts and used some help from the team around him on the defensive end.

With 9:48 left in the game, the ball trickled to a wide-open Gainey at the wing. He laced the triple and pulled Tennessee within 10 points. On the ensuing possession, Gainey drove to the right side of the rack and put down a tough layup with the foul call.

On the defensive end, Felix Okpara helped the efforts. As Florida went strong to the rim, Okpara rejected the shot and it ended up out of bounds. When the Gators inbounded, Tennessee stole it away and Gainey ran the floor.

Tennessee got the ball ahead, and the guard went above the rim to attempt a poster. He missed the shot but the whistle was blown and Gainey proceeded to drain both with the crowd roaring. His efforts pulled Tennessee back within five points on a self-induced 8-0 run.

Foul trouble prevents Vols from mounting comeback

Following Gainey’s run to cut into the deficit, it was Florida that had answers. The Gators continued to crowd the paint, and, in turn, Tennessee fouled due to its inability to keep up with physicality.

Tennessee’s Lanier and Jahmai Mashack each fouled out with around five minutes left in the game. Meanwhile, Okpara struggled with four fouls. By the end, Florida was able to pull away.

Now the focus shifts to the selection show where the Vols will learn their March Madness fate.