The No. 13 Baylor Bears hit their stride from beyond the three-point arc, knocking down 14 of 25 attempts, en route a 95-91 win over Florida in the NIT Season Tip-Off title game.
The Gators fell to 4-2 on the season with the loss while Baylor improved to 6-0.
The game started out as well as possible for Florida as they jumped out to a 7-0 lead following a Walter Clayton three-pointer just a minute and a half in. Florida remained in the lead until the 14:04 mark when Ja’Kobe Walter knocked down a jumper to even the score at 14. Walter followed with a pair of free-throws that put the Bears on top for the first time. A 12-1 run by Baylor put the Bears ahead 24-15 with 11:13 to play in the first half.
The Gators fought back and got to within three after a pair of made free throws by freshman Thomas Haugh with 7:41 to go. Baylor quickly went on a 9-1 run to go ahead 36-25. Florida evened things up by halftime thanks to a 16-4 run to end the period.
The Gators opened the scoring in the second half on a Riley Kugel dunk, but Baylor continued to score at a higher rate and kept Florida at a small distance throughout the second half as that was the Gators last lead. Florida did manage to tie the game twice (59-59, 61-61), but it wasn’t enough to overcome the hot shooting by the Bears.
The Gators were led by Kugel, who finished with 25 points and 9 rebounds. Tyrese Samuel (18), Zyon Pullin (17), and Clayton (11) all scored in double-digits as well.
Florida shot 45% from the field, including 8-26 from long range while Baylor shot 52% from the floor and made 14-25 from three-point range.
Florida will take on Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, NC on Wednesday, November 29 as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. The game is set for a 7:15 PM and tip and will be aired on ESPNU.
The Demon Deacons are 3-3 overall but are 2-0 in home games thus far.