At the Buzzer: Ole Miss 72, Florida 71 (Instant Analysis)
Sunday, January 25, 2015 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
OLE MISS 72, FLORIDA 71
WHAT HAPPENED: At Oxford, Miss., senior guard Jarvis Summers hit two free throws with 3.8 seconds left to give the Rebels a dramatic victory before a sellout crowd at Tad Smith Coliseum. Summers drew a foul on UF's forward Dorian Finney-Smith driving to the basket after Gators junior guard Michael Frazier II tied the game with a pair of free throws with 9.8 seconds to play. The outcome spoiled a spectacular night for Frazier, who showered in a season-best 27 points, including six makes from behind the 3-point line. It also came on a night when the Gators played some of their best halfcourt offense of the season and shot lights-out (12 of 20) from the 3-point line. Summers finished with 16 points. Mississippi also went 16-for-19 from the free-throw line, while Florida was 15-for-24, including a couple big misses from Finney-Smith with just over two mintues left and UF up by three.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Gators fell further back in the pack of the SEC standings, now with a break-even mark through six games. It was also the fourth time this season Florida held a double-digit lead and did not win. The Gators led by 11 midway through the first half, when the Rebels came storming back and made it a back-and-forth affair the rest of the game.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Coach Billy Donovan, his staff and all his teammates have been telling Frazier to shoot when he's open. Heck, even when he's not. It only helps the UF offense spread the court. Well, Frazier finally let 'em fly Saturday, going 7-for-11 from the floor, 6-for-8 from long distance and 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. It was the first time in six SEC games that Frazier attempted at least 10 field goals.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Florida came into the game ranked next-to-last in the SEC in 3-point shooting at 31.9 percent. The Gators were 7-for-10 from deep in the first half and finished 12-for-20 for the game. How many teams don't win shooting 3s at that percentage and making 12 of them?
UP NEXT: The Gators (10-9, 3-3), now with three straight losses for the first time since 2012 (and all in league play), are back ont he road again Tuesday night at Alabama (13-6, 3-3), a 57-55 winner over Auburn on Saturday on a late tip-in by Rodney Cooper.
