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For the first time in school history, Florida has swept a season series against Missouri. It wasn’t pretty, as the Tigers cut the Gators lead to one point with less than six minutes left in the game, but the Orange and Blue got it done. No. 24 Florida beat Missouri 83-74 in the penultimate regular season home game of the season.
Inside the Gators’ Instant Analysis takes a quick look at how the game unfolded.
IT WAS OVER WHEN: The Gators won a review, giving them the ball with 1:57 left to go. The Orange and Blue faithful were up on their feet and cheered Florida on until the end. The Gators finished with a 7-4 run to close out the fixture.
THEY STOLE THE SHOW: Tyrese Samuel was a beast for Florida tonight. He scored nine of Florida’s first 12 points. The graduate student was all over the court earning a double-double and a new career high. Samuel finished the night with 28 points, 10 rebounds, an assist, and a block.
THIS CRAZY STAT: Florida is .500 in all-time SEC play for the first time in 88 years. The last time the Gators were .500 was back on Feb. 7, 1936. They even dropped to as many as 132 games under .500 back in 1984. Florida is now 689-689 in all-time SEC play.
THESE STATS DON’T LIE: Will Richard didn’t score his field goal until there was 8:16 left in the game. In the 25 minutes he played before that, he had just one point. He finished the game with four points, shooting 1-of-9 from the field, 1-of-8 from three.
THIS MATCHUP PROVIDED KEY: Florida’s bigs against Mizzou.
Tyrese Samuel and Micah Handlogten could not be stopped tonight. The Canadian had nine of Florida’s first 12 points tonight while the transfer out of Marshall had his fourth double-double of the year. They combined for 40 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
WHAT A PLAY: Something Florida has done well all year is moving the basketball. No matter what defense the opposition plays against the Gators, the Orange and Blue always find an open man. This time, Thomas Haugh had the ball and found Clayton Jr.’s run in behind his marker. The guard switched play to the other side to a wide-open Riley Kugel. The Sophomore drove in and slammed it home.
UP NEXT: The No.24 (20-8,10-5) Gators travel to the Colonial Life Arena for their second to last away game on Saturday to take on conference opponent No. 18 (22-5, 10-4) South Carolina. The Gamecocks are playing now against Texas A&M.
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