At the Buzzer: Florida 61, Louisiana Monroe 56 (OT)
Saturday, November 22, 2014 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
FLORIDA 61, LOUISIANA-MONROE 56 (OT)
WHAT HAPPENED: With both forward Dorian Finney-Smith (hand) and Eli Carter (foot) sidelined with injuries, the Gators and Warhawks flailed about for 45 minutes before UF hit free throws in overtime and ULM missed field goals to allow the home team to escape a potentially embarassing defeat at the O'Connell Center. Michael Frazier scored 21 points, including from the free throw line. Senior walk-on Jake Kurtz, making the second start of his career, scored six points and grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds in 36 minutes. Freshman point guard Chris Chiozza came off the bench to score 11 points and dish four assists.
WHAT IT MEANS: Survival, that's what ... and not much more. This would have been a horrific defeat, even with a roster so depleted by injuries -- only six scholarship players dressed -- that at one point the Gators had two walk-ons (Kurtz and Lexx Edwards) on the floor at the same time -- and in overtime.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: UF sophomore center Chris Walker, after serving a suspension for violation of team rules to open the season, made his debut. The 6-10, 220-pound center was relatively quiet, as ULM's defense packed the post and dared UF's offensively challenged guards (other than Frazier, that is) to shoot. Walker finished with four points, six rebounds and a blocked shot in a career-high 26 minutes
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Minus their two leading scorers and top offensive options, the Gators shot an abysmal 32.7 percent from the field, including 3-for-15 from the 3-point line (20 percent), but good thing Florida took 32 free throws, making 24 (75 percent), compared to just eight attempts for the Warhawks. They made five, so that 19-point advantage at the line was significant.
UP NEXT: The Gators (2-1) will leave Monday night for the Bahamas and the Thanksgiving week Battle 4 Atlantis. UF will play three games in three nights, starting with Wednesday's nightcap against Georgetown, which tips off at 9:30 p.m. The Hoyas (2-0) play Robert Morris Saturday at noon. UF's second game at Atlantis will be against either Wisconsin or Alabama-Birmingham on Thursday.
