Chandler Parsons led the way with 18 points and 11 rebounds as No. 23 Florida maintained sole possession of first place in the SEC East with a 65-61 overtime victory over No. 24 Vanderbilt on Tuesday.

Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton added 15 points apiece for the host Gators (17-5, 6-2 SEC), who have a showdown with No. 11 Kentucky coming up on Saturday.

Both teams struggled from the field in the first half, with neither managing to reach 40 percent. Florida was able to take a 25-24 lead into the break thanks to four straight offensive rebounds on the final possession before Walker drained a 3-pointer in the final second.

The Gators pushed it to as much as 53-45 when Will Yeguete capped a 9-2 burst with a free throw at the 4:53 mark. Vanderbilt fought back, holding Florida without a field goal over the final 6:18 of regulation and forcing overtime when John Jenkins hit two free throws with 25 seconds left.

The Commodores (15-6, 3-4) took a 61-60 lead in overtime, but Boynton hit a 3-pointer and Parsons grabbed an offensive rebound and hit two free throws with 15 seconds left to put it away.