At the Buzzer: Florida 75, Incarnate Word 60 (Instant Analysis)
Friday, December 22, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
The Gators won a second straight Friday night against an overmatched foe from the Southland Conference.
SCORE 75, SCORE 60
WHAT HAPPENED: For 28 minutes, the Gators couldn't make shots and couldn't stop them against the Cardinals, but awoke midway through the second half with runs of seven and 10 straight points to open a 20-point lead and distance themselves for the win at Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center. Senior point guard Chris Chiozza scored 16 points, four assists and four steals, while junior guard Jalen Hudson scored 13 more to go with a career-high six assists to help UF overcome a dreadful offensive night (39.1 percent from the floor, 9-for-36 from the 3-point line). Until taking off on their 17-2 second-half run, the Gators gave up entirely too many easy baskets (UIW shot 48 percent for the game) and relied too much on the long ball, but over the course of the game took advantage of UIW miscues by scoring 33 points off 23 turnovers. Junior center Kevarrius Hayes had eight points and eight rebounds.
WHAT IT MEANS: Though the last two weren't impressive by any means, UF exited its pre-league schedule by winning three of the last four. The Southeastern Conference slate begins next weekend (read on) and the Gators are a long way from being ready for games against a league expected to be one of the deepest in the country this season.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Not only did Chiozza have another terrific all-around performance (he hit four of five field-goal tries and all seven free-throw attempts), but for the second straight game he did not have a turnover. Against anybody, that's just remarkable efficiency.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Since starting the season 14-for-25 from 3-point range through the first four games, grad-transfer forward Egor Koulechov has gone 7-for-37 in the eight games since (18.9 percent) after finishing 1-for-8 against the Cards. Koulechov finished with 12 points and four rebounds.
UP NEXT: The Gators (8-4) are free to go their separate ways for the holiday break and will report back for a team meeting and practice Tuesday night, when they'll look to the start of the SEC season Dec. 30 against Vanderbilt. The Commodores (5-7), who Friday crushed Alcorn State 92-51, have been the nemesis of UF coach Mike White, having beaten the Gators in five straight meetings, including a thee-game sweep last season.
