Florida looked dead in the water in the second half of the Fort Myers Tip-Off final against Ohio State. It trailed by 10 at one point, and though it managed to chip away at that lead, it couldn’t take control.
UF struggled with shooting the entire game, and Ohio State couldn’t miss in the second half. But free throws gave the Gators a chance in the final minutes, and tight defense when it mattered gave the team the ball on the final possession in a game that was tied at 68.
Coach Mike White elected not to call a timeout, a questionable decision that ultimately paid off. Guard Tyree Appleby drove down the court and pulled up for a long three that fell through the net as the buzzer sounded.
Despite only leading for 3:23 of game time, the Gators earned a 71-68 win to preserve their undefeated start to the season and capture the championship in the Fort Myers tournament. Here are the takeaways.