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Final: Florida 71, Ole Miss 55

Coming off their worst performance of the season, the Gators needed a bounce back effort against Mississippi on Tuesday.

Florida received just that as they routed the Rebels 71-55 at Exactech Arena. The win improves the Gators’ record to 11-5 overall and 3-1 in SEC play.

How it happened:

Florida started quick offensively as Andrew Nembhard hit a mid-range jumper just :14 into the game. The Gators had already scored eight points by the time Ole Miss made a shot at the 17:47 mark.

The run didn’t last long. In fact, Ole Miss went on a massive run of their own. Trailing 17-6 with 14:23 remaining in the opening period, the Rebels went on a 16-2 run and claimed a 22-19 lead.

The Gators swung the momentum late in the first half, going into intermission on a 17-4 run armed with a 40-28 advantage.

UF scored the first seven points of the second half and was able to coast from there.

Sophomore Keyontae Johnson led the Gators with 15 points on 6-7 from the floor while Kerry Blackshear finished with 13 points and 9 boards. Andrew Nembhard added 10 points and 6 assists to the Gators’ cause.

For the game, Florida shot 54% and held Ole Miss to just 18 made field goals.

In the second half, sophomore Noah Locke knocked down his second three of the contest and set a UF record in the process. Tuesday marked the thirteenth straight game with multiple treys, surpassing Brett Nelson’s program record from the 2000-01 season.

Head coach Mike White picked up his 100th win at the helm for Florida with the victory.

Team Stats:

• FG% : 54
• 3FG% : 23
• FT% : 61
• Reb+/- : +5
• Assists: 12
• TO : 12
• Bench Points: 16

What’s Next:

The Gators will take on undefeated and No. 4 ranked Auburn at Exactech Arena on Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 1:30 PM and the game will be aired on CBS.