GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Despite baffling inconsistency, evident flaws and several bad losses, Florida is sitting atop the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division.

With a cushion, too.

Chandler Parsons had 17 points and 12 rebounds, Alex Tyus made two big defensive plays late and the Gators (No. 23 ESPN/USA Today) beat Kentucky (No. 11 ESPN/USA Today, No. 10 AP) 70-68 Saturday night.

"It feels good," Parsons said. "It's a big-time win. These are the kind of games you dream about as a child."

Florida, which has struggled from the free throw line all season and lost four games because of it, went 18 of 22 from the stripe and hit some clutch ones late.

Erving Walker sank both ends of two one-and-ones in the closing minutes. His final free throw put Florida (18-5, 7-2 SEC) ahead for good. Tyus followed with a baseline hook shot and Parsons added a free throw with 12.7 seconds remaining.

The Wildcats (16-6, 4-4) had a final chance, but Brandon Knight's 3-pointer came up short. It was the only shot Knight missed from behind the arc. He finished with 24 points, five rebounds, four assists and one costly miss.

"When he went up in the air, I just held my breath," Walker said. "It wasn't just a basket. It was the ballgame."

The Gators had a lot to do with the errant shot. Kenny Boynton, who guarded DeAndre Liggins most of the night, picked up Knight at midcourt and then switched with Tyus. The taller Tyus got a hand in his face on the final shot.