FINAL: FLORIDA 81, VANDERBILT 74
| 1st | 2nd | OT | FINAL | |
| VANDY | 20 | 54 | X | 74 |
| FLORIDA | 40 | 41 | X | 81 |
GAINESVILLE, FL- With 1:43 to play in regulation, Vanderbilt’s senior guard Riley LaChance hit a three-pointer to close the Florida lead to just four points. Florida had led by as many as twenty points (at halftime), but watched the lead dwindle until the closing minute.
Much of Florida’s victory came by way of the free throw line. The Gators shot 27 of 30 from the charity stipe for the game, and made 11 of 12 shots in the final five minutes. Senior F Egor Koulechov made all ten free attempts, and finished with a game high 22 points. Koulechov also led Florida with eight rebounds.
Florida had fallen to Vanderbilt in all three of their meetings since head coach Mike White was hired. The Gators only committed five turnovers for the game, and shot 40+ percent from the floor and from beyond the arc.
In addition to Koulechov’s big night, senior Chris Chiozza (17) and junior KeVaughn Allen (16) also finished with double-digit scoring figures. Chiozza led the team with three assists, but Florida only recorded an assist on seven of their twenty-three made baskets.
Jeff Roberson led the Commodores with 18 points and 7 rebounds while Matthew Fisher-Davis added 17 more. Freshman guard Saben Lee scored 13 while LaChance (11) and Payton Willis (10) also finished in double figures.
Florida will travel to College Station, Texas on Tuesday to face #5 Texas A&M.
RECORDS:
- VANDERBILT: 5-8
- FLORIDA: 9-4
Team Stats:
| VANDY | FLORIDA | |
| FG % | 42 | 43 |
| 3-PT % | 39 | 42 |
| FT % | 71 | 90 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 12 | 8 |
| Total Rebounds | 36 | 36 |
| Assists | 14 | 7 |
| Steals | 1 | 4 |
| Blocks | 3 | 10 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 5 |
What’s Next:
Florida will hit the road for the first time in league play, and will face #5 Texas A&M on Tuesday. The Aggies (11-2) were upset by Alabama on Saturday, 79-57. Texas A&M usually starts a two center lineup which could give the smaller Gators lineup a lot of trouble. Tyler Davis and Tonny Trocha-Morelos both average more than eight points and five rebounds. 6-7 guard Savion Flagg is also averaging 8.3 points and 5.1 boards.
Florida vs Texas A&M
January 2, 2018
9:00 PM / Reed Arena
SEC Network