No. 6 Kentucky slips past UF in SEC opener

Aaron Bradshaw hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with

1:27 remaining to help No. 6 Kentucky post an 87-85 victory over Florida on Saturday afternoon at Gainesville, in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

Antonio Reeves led the Wildcats (11-2) with 19 points, while D.J. Wagner and Reed Sheppard finished with 14 apiece. Tre Mitchell supplied 12 points and 10 rebounds for Kentucky.

Zyon Pullin and Walter Clayton Jr. each poured in 23 points for the Gators (10-4), who also got 15 points from Riley Kugel before he fouled out. Micah Handlogten paired 12 rebounds with six points.

Clayton made two free throws with 3:10 left to put the Gators ahead 76-74, but UF wouldn’t score again until Pullin made a threepoint play with 30 seconds to go.

ETC.

Tennis: Germany pulled off a semifinal win at the United Cup in thrilling fashion, defeating homefavorite Australia 2-1 in Sydney.

After the two nations split in singles play, Alexander Zverev and Laura Siegemund battled the Australian duo of Matthew Ebden and Storm Hunter in the decisive mixed-doubles match, with the Germans prevailing 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (2-7), 15-13 in two hours, 22 minutes.

In Sunday’s final, they’ll meet No. 1 seed Poland, which had a much easier time in defeating France

3-0 earlier in the day.

Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz struck 15 aces and didn’t face a break point in his 6-3, 7-5 defeat of

Adrian Mannarino. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek was challenged by Caroline Garcia, who won the first set, but Swiatek prevailed 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.

At the Brisbane International, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina each posted a straight-sets victory to advance to the final and set up a rematch of the final in the 2023 Australian

Open. In men’s play, topseeded Holger Rune and second-seeded Grigor Dimitrov each recorded straight-set wins to advance to the final.

At the ASB Classic, defending champion Coco Gauff advanced to the final in Auckland, New Zealand, following a 6-3, 6-1 victory over fourth-seeded Emma

Navarro. NHL:

The Chicago Blackhawks placed star rookie Connor Bedard on injured reserve because of a fractured jaw he sustained Friday following a big hit from New Jersey defenseman