Florida’s 10-game winning streak came to a halt Tuesday night, as
Arkansas pounced on the second-ranked Gators early and led from
wire-to-wire in an 80-69 victory at Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas
(14-8, 5-4) hit 49.1 from the floor and took the Gators (18-3, 8-1 SEC)
out rhythm all night, forcing 16 turnovers. The 80 points surrendered
by the Gators are the most by any opponent this season, while it was the
UF’s first loss since Dec. 22 against Kansas State in Kansas City.
Six
different Razorbacks connected from three-point range, as Arkansas
finished 8-of-18 from distance, including 7-of-9 to open the game.
Mike Rosario led the Gators with 15 points, Scottie Wilbekin had 14 and Michael Frazier 11.
Arkansas’ bench outscored the Gators 42-12.
The
Gators dug themselves into a hole, trailing by 17 at the break, 43-26.
Arkansas hit back-to-back three-pointers on their first two possessions
to grab a quick 6-0 lead and seize control. Arkansas led by as much as
23 in the first half, hitting 53.3 percent in the opening 20 minutes,
while the Gators mustered just 29.2 percent and turned the ball over
seven times.
Adding to the Gators’ woes, Will Yeguete
re-aggravated his right knee injury that has plagued him much of this
season, going out in the first half and not returning.
Florida
returns home Saturday for the first of two straight in the O’Dome, as
Mississippi State returns the Gators’ visit from last month, an 82-47
win by UF in Starkville. The Gators then welcome Kentucky to the O’Dome
on Tuesday.
