At the Buzzer: No. 12 Florida 78, Arkansas 65 (Instant Breakdown)

Wednesday, March 1, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry

The Gators took a big first-half lead and finished the job to clinch the No. 2 seed in next week's SEC Tournament.

By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer

AT THE BUZZER
No. 12 FLORIDA 78, ARKANSAS 65

WHAT HAPPENED: The No. 12 Gators sent four-year stalwart Kasey Hill and his 2017 senior classmates out in style, using an across-the-board effort -- from starters all the way down to the end of the bench -- to open a big lead on the Razorbacks and put the game away before a sellout crowd at the Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center. Senior forward Canyon Barry, looking as healthy as he had since turning his ankle 11 days ago, made his first start as a Gator -- along with fellow seniors Hill, Justin Leon and Schuyler Rimmer (also his first) -- and scored 14 points and grabbed four rebounds. Hill also had 12 points, plus three rebounds and four assists. Sophomore guard KeVaughn Allen, a native of Arkansas, threw in 12 and guard Chris Chiozza came off the bench to throw in 12 points and grab five rebounds. Florida started the game by making 12 of its first 16 shots and led by 16 with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half. The Hogs cut the margin to as few as six midway through the second half, then to seven with four minutes to go, but a big 3-pointer by Hill helped the Gators take the lead back out. The loss was the first in six games for Arkansas, which is likely headed to the NCAA Tournament ... along with the Gators, of course.

WHAT IT MEANS: After falling Saturday night at Kentucky, the Gators are back in the winning lane with one regular-season game to go. UF clinched the No. 2 seed in next week's Southeastern Conference Tournament at Nashville, Tenn., while also winning its 24th game in a regular season for only the seventh time in school history. The Gators finished 9-1 in the new O'Dome during their abbreviated 2016-17 home schedule.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Redshirt freshman forward Keith Stone came off the bench and scored eight straight second-half points for the Gators, making for -- far and away -- his best performance since developing a viral illness that brought out vertigo symptoms. A healthy and confident Stone is exactly what this team searching for interior depth needs. The Gators also got back the services of 6-foot-11, 230-pound freshman center Gorjok Gak, who the last two-plus weeks with a sprained foot. Gak got his most meaningful minutes in a UF uniform, entering in the first half when Rimmer and Kevarrius Hayes were in foul trouble. Gak finished with two points and two rebounds.

STAGGERING STATISTIC: Arkansas came into the game ranked second in the SEC in scoring at 81.0 points per game, as well as No. 2 in both field-goal percentage (.465) and 3-point percentage (.375). Against the Gators, one of the best defenses in the country, the Hogs were held 16 points below their season's scoring average, shot just 35.6 percent and were out-shot from the 3-point line. UF made 10 to Arkansas's six.

UP NEXT: Florida (24-6, 14-3) wraps the regular season Saturday at Vanderbilt. The Gators have lost three of their last four on the road against the Commodores (16-14, 9-8), who are fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives and will be amped up -- on their Senior Day -- to claim not just a huge win against a high RPI, but sweep of their series against the Gators. Vandy defeated UF at the O'Dome 68-66 on Jan. 21. Florida has won 11 of 12 since.