At the Buzzer: Texas A&M 71, UF 68 (Instant Analysis)
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
TEXAS A&M 71, FLORIDA 68
WHAT HAPPENED: On a night the Gators shot the ball better than usual, they turned it over more than usual and 21st-ranked A&M made them pay -- but barely. UF sophomore point guard Chris Chiozza stole an inbounds pass with five seconds left and scrambled to get off a 3-point shot that banged off the back of the rim to give the Aggies the win. A&M senior forwards Jalen Jones and Danuel House combined for 48 points, but it was an Aggies' defense that forced UF into 16 turnovers that were converted into 21 points that really made the difference at Reed Arena. Senior forward Dorian Finney-Smith led UF with 17 points and 12 rebounds, carding his third double-double of the season, while forward Justin Leon, the junior college transfer, had his third straight career-high game for points with 16. Chiozza finished with 12 points, four rebounds and eight assists.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Gators fell to 0-4 this season against ranked teams, with defeats against Purdue on a neutral court, and road losses at Miami, Michigan State and now A&M.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Had to be Leon, who continues to make plays around the basket (he was 7-for-8 from the floor), make 3-pointers (he had two more on two attempts) and lead the Gators in effort.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Freshman guard KeVaughn Allen, who had a five-game run when he averaged 18 points per game, was held scoreless, going 0-for-4 from the floor, 0-for-3 from the 3-point line in 18 minutes after picking up two fouls early in the first half. It's to the point now that Coach Mike White has no idea what he's going to get from his players (with the exception of Leon) on a given night.
UP NEXT: The Gators (10-6, 2-2 / 11-5, 3-1) play a second straight road game -- and third in four SEC games -- when they go to Mississippi to play at the brand new, $96 million Pavillion at Ole Miss, the alma mater of White, who started four years there as a point guard during the 1990s. The Rebels (12-3, 2-1) play Wednesday night at LSU.
TEXAS A&M 71, FLORIDA 68
WHAT HAPPENED: On a night the Gators shot the ball better than usual, they turned it over more than usual and 21st-ranked A&M made them pay -- but barely. UF sophomore point guard Chris Chiozza stole an inbounds pass with five seconds left and scrambled to get off a 3-point shot that banged off the back of the rim to give the Aggies the win. A&M senior forwards Jalen Jones and Danuel House combined for 48 points, but it was an Aggies' defense that forced UF into 16 turnovers that were converted into 21 points that really made the difference at Reed Arena. Senior forward Dorian Finney-Smith led UF with 17 points and 12 rebounds, carding his third double-double of the season, while forward Justin Leon, the junior college transfer, had his third straight career-high game for points with 16. Chiozza finished with 12 points, four rebounds and eight assists.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Gators fell to 0-4 this season against ranked teams, with defeats against Purdue on a neutral court, and road losses at Miami, Michigan State and now A&M.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Had to be Leon, who continues to make plays around the basket (he was 7-for-8 from the floor), make 3-pointers (he had two more on two attempts) and lead the Gators in effort.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Freshman guard KeVaughn Allen, who had a five-game run when he averaged 18 points per game, was held scoreless, going 0-for-4 from the floor, 0-for-3 from the 3-point line in 18 minutes after picking up two fouls early in the first half. It's to the point now that Coach Mike White has no idea what he's going to get from his players (with the exception of Leon) on a given night.
UP NEXT: The Gators (10-6, 2-2 / 11-5, 3-1) play a second straight road game -- and third in four SEC games -- when they go to Mississippi to play at the brand new, $96 million Pavillion at Ole Miss, the alma mater of White, who started four years there as a point guard during the 1990s. The Rebels (12-3, 2-1) play Wednesday night at LSU.
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