GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Evelyn Akhator scored 23 points and No. 20 Kentucky advanced to the Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinals for the eighth straight season with a 65-55 victory over Alabama on Friday.

The fourth-seeded Wildcats (21-9) broke open a close game in third quarter, using a 10-3 burst to take control. They'll be looking for their first trip to the finals since falling to Tennessee in the championship game in 2014. To get there, Kentucky will have to get past top-seeded and fifth-ranked South Carolina, who blew past Georgia 72-48 earlier at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Makayla Epps added 12 points, while Alyssa Rice and Maci Morris had 11 apiece. Akhator also had nine rebounds, three assists and a steal to lift the Wildcats.

Hannah Cook had 22 points off six 3-pointers to lead 12th-seeded Alabama (19-13), which was looking for its third win in as many days at the tournament to advance.