The Gators’ game of catch-up fell short as the Mississippi State Bulldogs pulled out a 71-64 win over Florida on Saturday afternoon at Humphrey Coliseum.
Florida had contributions from all players, led by Erving Walker (Brooklyn, N.Y.)’s 18 points. Chandler Parsons (Casselberry, Fla.) had a game-high 13 rebounds and the Gators’ bench outscored the Bulldogs’, 17-0, but it was not enough.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead, pulling ahead of the Gators by as much as 10 behind relentless shots behind the arc. Florida, on the other hand, scored seven of their first eight baskets in the paint. The Gators were able to close the gap behind a 7-0 run triggered by smart decisions in the paint, including a driving layup by Walker, to close the Mississippi State lead to just three.
Renardo Sidney shifted the momentum back to the Bulldogs, scoring five straight points to extend State’s lead to 30-22 with just 8:26 remaining in the half. Florida then went on a 10-2 run, sparked by a Casey Prather (Jackson, Tenn.) trey. Vernon Macklin (Portsmouth, Va.) completed a three-point play to inch back within two at 34-36. Florida tied the game for the first time with a Walker jumper to make it 38-38. Ravern Johnson’s jumper put the Bulldogs back up 40-38 and took that lead into halftime.
Mississippi State opened the second half on an 11-4 run behind four straight points by Sidney, who had a similar streak in the first half. Florida was able to cut the lead to four thanks to strong play by its freshmen Scottie Wilbekin (Gainesville, Fla.) and Prather, who hit a trey and a layup, respectively. Erik Murphy (South Kingstown, R.I.) hit a three-pointer to close the gap to two, 52-50. The Gators took their first lead with a trey by Walker, followed by his two made free throws, capping a 13-1 run for Florida.
The Bulldogs began another scoring run behind Dee Bost’s back-to-back treys and coupled a Sidney layup, giving the Bulldogs a 60-57 lead. The Gators cut the lead to 60-59 behind two made free throws by Walker. The Orange and Blue took the lead once again with a Tyus put-back dunk.
Mississippi State answered with two made free throws from Bost but Florida found success in the paint once again, as Walker sank a jumper to put the Gators ahead, 63-62. Bost had another response with a jumper to put Mississippi State ahead once again. The Gators tied with a Walker free throw to put the game even at 64 apiece with a Macklin free throw. Mississippi State shut down the Gators offensively for the last five minutes and Kodi Augustus made his five out of six free throws to give the Bulldogs the win, 71-64.
Bost led all scorers with 24 points, while Augustus and Sidney each contributed 16 points and Johnson had 15.
Florida returns to the hardcourt on Tuesday, February 1st as the Gators take on the Vanderbilt Commodores at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Opening tip is at 9pm on ESPN.
