Despite seeing four players score in double figures and outrebounding No. 3 Ohio State 38-29, the No. 7/8 University of Florida men’s basketball team (1-1) dropped a hard-fought contest to the Buckeyes (2-0), 81-74, this evening at Value City Arena.
For the contest, UF was led offensively by a quartet of players who scored in double digits led by freshman Bradley Beal (St. Louis, Mo.) who scored 17. Junior Kenny Boynton (Pompano Beach, Fla.) chipped in 15, while fellow junior Erik Murphy (South Kingstown, R.I.) scored 14 on 5-of-6 shooting, including a perfect 4-for-4 from distance. Patric Young (Jacksonville, Fla.) was the final Gator in double-figures with 14 points. In addition to his 14 points, Young added 12 rebounds for his second double-double in as many games on the young season.
The Gators started the game out strong, jumping out to an early eight point lead, 14-6, behind a trio of three point makes from Murphy. After the Buckeyes ran off the next seven points to cut the advantage UF to one, the Gators went on another run led by a pair of baskets from Beal and a Mike Rosario (Jersey City, N.J.) three off a beautiful pump fake. OSU was equal to the task again and eventually tied the game up at 29-29 with just over three minutes to play in the first half. From there, the Buckeyes scored six of the next eight points to take a 35-32 lead into half time. Murphy led the UF charge in the first half with nine points; he was followed closely by Beal and Boynton who chipped in seven apiece during the opening period.
Coming out of the locker room, the Buckeyes were able to extend their lead to 16 points before the Gators responded with a 9-2 run behind a tip-in from Young, a pair of quick baskets from Beal and a converted layup off an offense rebound from Murphy to cut the OSU lead to 64-55 with six minutes to play in the game. With just over two minutes remaining, the Buckeyes had again pushed their lead to double digits at 74-62 but the Gators refused to give up, cutting the OSU lead to five after a flurry of threes and solid defense. Unfortunately for UF, there weren’t enough ticks on the clock and the Buckeyes were able to close out the game with the 81-74 victory.
