Kansas State used timely runs and a physical defense that kept
Florida's offense out of rhythm for large pockets, handing the Gators
their second defeat of the season, 67-61.
Will Spralding scored 17
points to lead Kansas State (9-2), who matched every Florida (8-2) run
with a run of their own. Rodney McGruder added 13 points for the
Wildcats, who hit 41.7 percent from the floor and 41.2 percent from
three-point range.
Florida came in ranked in the top 10 in the
nation in rebounding margin, but Kansas State was the aggressor on the
boards, out-rebounding the Gators, 36-27, including 11 offensive boards.
Patric Young had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Gators,
hitting 8-of-11 shots from the floor, and collecting his eighth career
double-double.
The Gators struggled offensively all night as
Kansas State, which entered as one of the nation's premier teams at
guarding the perimeter, limited UF to just 40.4 percent from the floor
and 26.2 percent from three-point range (5-for-19).
Florida turned it over just nine times, but the Wildcats kept the Gators from getting into any offensive rhythm.
Kansas
State held a 33-23 lead at the half, holding the Gators to just 30.8
percent from the floor and 22.2 percent (2-for-9) from three-point
range. The Gators held a 19-17 lead before the Wildcats closed the half
on a 16-4 run as Florida hit just one field goal in the final 8:50 of
the first half.
Will Spralding caught fire, torching the Gators
for 13 points in the first half, hitting 4-of-7 shots and three from
beyond the arc. Patric Young had five points and eight rebounds at the
break for the Gators.
Florida opened the second half on a 12-3
run to cut the Kansas State lead to 36-35. The Gators eventually tied it
at 41-41 on a three-pointer from Kenny Boynton. The Gators could never
regain the lead, however. Leading 46-45 with 10:00 to go, Kansas State
went on an 11-2 run to put the game out of reach, increasing the lead to
57-47. Florida went nearly 5:00 without a field goal during the
stretch.
Florida returns to action on Dec. 29 against Air Force in the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise, Fla.
