Jamal Murray scored a career-high 35 points, and No. 20 Kentucky beat Florida 80-61 on Saturday.

The Wildcats (17-6, 7-3 Southeastern Conference) ended a rare two-game losing streak while improving to 15-0 at home.

Murray also made a career-best eight of Kentucky's season-high 12 3-pointers. The freshman set the tone for the blowout with 20 points in the first half.

Tyler Ulis had 18 points and 11 assists for the Wildcats, who shot 52 percent (30 for 58) from the field. Derek Willis finished with 12 points.

Kentucky blew a 21-point lead in an 84-77 loss at Tennessee in its last outing. It got off to another fast start against the Gators, but closed it out with ease this time around.

Dorian Finney-Smith led the Gators (15-8, 6-4) with 24 points. John Egbuno had 12 points.

Murray and Ulis combined for 35 points to help Kentucky to a 50-32 lead at the break. The Wildcats then opened the second half with an 8-0 run, including a 3 for Murray that took a fortunate bounce on the rim.

Florida shot 39.6 percent (21 for 53) from the field. It went 6 for 19 from 3-point range, compared to 12 for 20 for Kentucky.

MISSING POYTHRESS

Kentucky senior Alex Poythress was shelved by a right knee injury. Poythress had 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting in the loss to the Volunteers.

Poythress tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last season and missed the final 29 games. He scored a career-high 25 points in a 77-61 win at Alabama last month.

TIP-INS

Kentucky: The Wildcats have won their last four games against Florida after the Gators earned a season sweep in 2014. ... Murray has made a 3 in his first 23 games, a school record.

Florida: The Gators fell to 1-5 this season against teams ranked in the Top 25.

UP NEXT

Kentucky hosts Georgia on Tuesday night.

Florida hosts Ole Miss on Tuesday night.

© 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.