At the Buzzer: No. 23 Florida 80, Alabama 67
Tuesday, January 10, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
The Gators won their sixth straight in come-from-behind fashion at Tuscaloosa.
AT THE BUZZER
No. 23 FLORIDA 80, ALABAMA 67
WHAT HAPPENED: A really strange game broke out at Coleman Coliseum, with the 23rd-ranked Gators jumping to an 18-point lead in the first half, then falling behind by six in the second, then rallying to a sixth straight victory to stay unbeaten in Southeastern Conference play. Redshirt freshman forward Keith Stone came off the bench to score 14 points, including a perfect 3-for-3 performance from the 3-point line, to go with a couple rebounds and two huge assists. Fellow backup Canyon Barry added 13 points and four rebounds, as Florida's four bench players outscored its five starters 41-39. Senior point guard Kasey Hill had another solid, box score-stuffing effort with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals. UF forced 18 turnovers and converted them into 27 points.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Tide, like Tennessee, is a tough bunch, the likes of which the Gators have struggled against the last few years. UF showed some of those traits in turning back UT at home Saturday, but to take that act on the road and come up with a win -- especially after blowing an 18-point lead -- shows yet another element of growth with this maturing group.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Had not seen this version of Stone in a while -- and boy, did the Gators need it. Stone hit double-figures for just the third time, and the first time in six games. He gave UF a huge frontcourt lift while starting forwards Devin Robinson and Justin Leon combined for just 12 points.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: The Tide didn't do themselves any favors at the free-throw line, going 16 of 32 (50 percent) with a slew of misses coming while the Gators were mounting their comeback. UF, meanwhile, went 24-for-32 (75 percent), including 5-for-6 from Hill.
UP NEXT: Florida (13-3, 4-0) is back home this weekend to face Georgia (10-5, 2-1) in a noon tipoff Saturday at the O'Dome. The Bulldogs, whose lone league loss came last week at home against South Carolina, play Wednesday night at Ole Miss.
No. 23 FLORIDA 80, ALABAMA 67
WHAT HAPPENED: A really strange game broke out at Coleman Coliseum, with the 23rd-ranked Gators jumping to an 18-point lead in the first half, then falling behind by six in the second, then rallying to a sixth straight victory to stay unbeaten in Southeastern Conference play. Redshirt freshman forward Keith Stone came off the bench to score 14 points, including a perfect 3-for-3 performance from the 3-point line, to go with a couple rebounds and two huge assists. Fellow backup Canyon Barry added 13 points and four rebounds, as Florida's four bench players outscored its five starters 41-39. Senior point guard Kasey Hill had another solid, box score-stuffing effort with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals. UF forced 18 turnovers and converted them into 27 points.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Tide, like Tennessee, is a tough bunch, the likes of which the Gators have struggled against the last few years. UF showed some of those traits in turning back UT at home Saturday, but to take that act on the road and come up with a win -- especially after blowing an 18-point lead -- shows yet another element of growth with this maturing group.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Had not seen this version of Stone in a while -- and boy, did the Gators need it. Stone hit double-figures for just the third time, and the first time in six games. He gave UF a huge frontcourt lift while starting forwards Devin Robinson and Justin Leon combined for just 12 points.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: The Tide didn't do themselves any favors at the free-throw line, going 16 of 32 (50 percent) with a slew of misses coming while the Gators were mounting their comeback. UF, meanwhile, went 24-for-32 (75 percent), including 5-for-6 from Hill.
UP NEXT: Florida (13-3, 4-0) is back home this weekend to face Georgia (10-5, 2-1) in a noon tipoff Saturday at the O'Dome. The Bulldogs, whose lone league loss came last week at home against South Carolina, play Wednesday night at Ole Miss.
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