ChompTalk.com

A home win just means more when it’s over an conference rival.

The jam-packed Stephen O. Connell Center bore witness as the Florida Gators (13-6) picked up a massive 79-70 victory over Mississippi State Bulldogs (13-6)

For head coach Todd Golden and the Gators, it was their third SEC win of the season, putting them only two games behind the top spot in the competitive conference.

Florida started out strong, especially behind junior guard Will Richard, who scored 18 of his season-high 23 points in the first half.

In the beginning of the second half, the Gators kept on rolling, leading by as much as 17 points with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest.

However, the Bulldogs came barking back, finding themselves within six points in the games final minutes, mostly due to the contributions of freshman guard Josh Hubbard, who racked up 26 points in the game.

However, the Gators ended up coming out on top by doing something they have struggled to do all season: hit free throws.

This season, Florida is shooting just over 67 percent from the stripe, which ranks No. 299 of the 351 teams in Division I. Tonight, however, the Gators found their rhythm from 15 feet away, shooting 17-20 from the line.

10 of those 17 makes came in the game’s last minute and 33 seconds, where both junior guard Walter Clayton Jr., freshman forward Alex Condon and senior guard Zion Pullin all converted on their free throws to secure the victory.

Alongside Richard (23), both Clayton Jr. (15) and Pullin (15) scored in double digits, and they were also joined by senior forward Tyrese Samuel (12).

It might not have been the prettiest game for the Gators, as they were outrebounded and outscored in the paint, but a win is a win nonetheless, and it was a much-needed one at that.

The Gators will look to continue their newfound winning streak at noon Saturday in another conference matchup, this time against the visiting Georgia Bulldogs.