For the third straight game, the Gators needed a second-half comeback. And in Saturday’s home matchup against Ole Miss, they also needed overtime. Florida earned a 62-57 win to narrowly avoid a season sweep at the hands of a Rebels team that ranks No. 102 in the NET. But it sure wasn’t pretty.
Star center Colin Castleton returned to the floor for UF (15-8, 5-5 SEC) after missing the previous four games, and though his presence on the court was a boon, it didn’t keep the team from having yet another slow start.
They trailed by nine at the half before taking control of the game in the second. However, the Gators would squander a nine-point lead of their own, and it took extra minutes to put away a feisty Mississippi (12-11, 3-7 SEC) team.
A Quadrant 3 loss at home would have likely ended (or at least severely wounded) Florida’s postseason hopes, but those remain alive as it enters the back half of conference play. Here are the takeaways from a close call against the Rebels.