The Florida Gators secured a major victory Tuesday in the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte Tuesday. Florida and the Michigan Wolverines played a marathon affair that spanned two overtimes before the Gators finished victorious, 106-101.
Forward Tyrese Samuel led Florida with a double-double, 21 points and 11 rebounds. In all, five Gators scored double digits points in the effort.
The first half was a back and forth tussel that saw things stay close. Michigan would lead by as many as six points at 28-22 with 6:09 to play but the Gators continued to fight and took a one point advantage into the halftime break after a half-court buzzer beater by Zyon Pullin.
Michigan came out hot in the second half though and quickly built up a nine point lead just after the first media timeout. Florida kept it close, however, and eventually evened it at 72 on a Will Richard triple with 4:51 remaining in regulation. The Gators built a four point lead with 1:36 to play but poor free-throw shooting allowed Michigan opportunities, which they did to force overtime.
In the first overtime, Florida was down three with ten seconds remaining, Walter Clayton missed a three-pointer but Samuel picked up the loose ball and found Pullin to even the game and force a second overtime.
Michigan opened the scoring in the second extra period and led by a basket twice in the first minute of play. However, the Gators finally started knocking down their shots and built a six points advantage with 1:25 left. The lead swelled to as much as nine before the game ended with a 106-101 Florida victory.
Pullin finished with a game high 22 points while Samuel (21), Richard (17), Condon (14), Clayton (12) all reached double figures.
The Gators made just 18-29 from the free throw stripe and turned the ball over 16 times. Florida did shoot 47% from the floor in the effort.
The Gators will return home on Dec. 22 to face Grambling State. Tip-off is slated for 4:00 PM.
The Tigers are 2-9 on the season with their wins coming against North Texas and Champion Christian College.
ChompTalk.com 
Leave a comment