In Colin Castleton’s return to the lineup, the Florida Gators survived overtime to defeat Mississippi by a 62-57 score on Saturday. Florida improved to 15-8 overall and returned to .500 at 5-5 in SEC play.
The game started with both teams taking jabs at each other until the Rebels went on an 11-0 run behind three made treys over the midpoint of the first half to increase their lead to 18-9. While the Gators managed to cut the deficit to one with 4:54 remaining, the Rebels stretched the advantage back to nine before the intermission buzzer sounded at 30-21.
Florida managed to knock down just two of thirteen attempts from beyond the three point line in the first half and only eight field goals in the first twenty minutes.
The Gators opened the second half by scoring seven straight highlighted by Phlandrous Fleming’s three pointer.
Myreon Jones hit a trey with 3:36 remaining in regulation that put Florida on top 48-42, but that basket would prove to be the final points of the period as Ole Miss would tie it up to force overtime.
Despite attempting just six field goals, the Gators scored 14 points in the overtime session. Florida went 7-9 from the free throw line to seal the win.
Castleton finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds while Tyree Appleby contributed a double-double with ten points and ten assists. Fleming added ten points as well. The Gators shot 41% from the floor over the entire game.
Florida will face Georgia on Wednesday. The Bulldogs are 6-17 overall and 1-9 in league play.