Instant Analysis: LSU hangs on to knock off Florida in Gainesville 64-58

LSU traveled to Florida and came away with 64-58 against the Gators.

The No. 12 ranked LSU Tigers traveled to Florida to take on the Florida Gators. The Tigers came out on top with a 64-58 win, but the Gators did not make it easy. LSU improved 15-1 and 3-1 in the SEC; they were without starting point guard Xavier Pinson, who did not play because of a sprained knee.

LSU took a hold of the lead at halftime 38-30, and Florida came out strong in the second half and managed to cut the lead within two several times, but missed free throws did the Gators in. They had three players miss a pair of free throws late in the game. Florida missed 11 free throws and seven of nine down the stretch.

LSU’s Darius Days scored 20 points, grabbed six rebounds, and had four steals. Days shot 9-14 from the fields and 1-3 from three-point land. Eric Gaines, who started for Pinson, added 15 points, only starting for the second time this season. Brandon Murray pitched in with ten points of his own.

Flordia was led by Colin Castleton, who scored 19 points and had nine rebounds. Castleton shot 7-10 from the field. Florida was outscored 42-26 in the paint. Also, Florida only shot 36.4% from the field and 22.6% from beyond the Arc, while LSU shot 50% from the field.