At the Buzzer: Florida 77, Ole Miss 72 (Instant Analysis)
Tuesday, February 9, 2016 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
FLORIDA 77, OLE MISS 72
WHAT HAPPENED: On a night when the Rebels just would not go away, the Gators made enough plays down the stretch to get out of the O'Connell Center with a win they desperately needed. Sophomore forward Devin Robinson came off the bench to score 15 points, including a big free throw with 12.5 seconds left to push UF up by five and eight seconds later -- after an Mississippi basket cut the margin to three -- a run-out dunk on a pass over the Rebels press with 4.8 to play to ice the game. Senior forward Dorian Finney-Smith had 16 points and six rebounds, while sophomore center John Egbunu posted his fourth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman guard KeVaughn Allen added 15 points, with couple key free throws in the final minute.
WHAT IT MEANS: After being bludgeoned over the weekend at Kentucky, the Gators needed a bounce-back performance. UF is now 11-1 at home, including 6-0 in SEC play and needs to hold serve at the O'Dome in the stretch run of the season to make the best of its postseason chances. Florida pulled within a half-game of the three teams (South Carolna, Texas A&M and Kentucky) locked in a tie for second place in the league standings.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Robinson had one of his best all-around games in weeks. He was active on both ends of the floor, hitting five of his seven shots, including 2-for-3 from long distance, and four of his five rebounds were on the offensive end. Robinson also took three offensive charges, the last against Ole Miss guard Stefan Moody with 1:09 left that fouled out the SEC's scoring leader with just 19 points, his lowest output in league play this season.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Florida turned the ball over 16 times, equaling its most against an SEC team this season, but many of them were loud turnovers. Not as in run-out dunks for the Rebels, but those miscues led to 28 points by the Rebels and kept them in the game.
UP NEXT: The Gators (16-8, 7-4) are home for a second straight game, taking on Alabama (13-9, 4-6) Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at the O'Dome. The Crimson Tide, which the Gators have beaten 11 straight times dating to the 2008-09 season, host Texas A&M Wednesday night.
