In a Wednesday night showdown at Gainesville, Florida, the Gators claimed a 79-70 victory over Mississippi State, powered by a standout performance from Colin Castleton. The Florida forward contributed 23 points and nine rebounds, leading his team to back-to-back victories and improving their record to 13-6, 3-3 in the Southeastern Conference.
Zyon Pullin, Walter Clayton Jr., and Tyrese Samuel provided crucial support for Florida, contributing 15, 15, and 12 points, respectively. The Gators, despite shooting 42.2 percent from the field, committed only seven turnovers, showcasing their efficiency.
Mississippi State faced challenges with cold shooting, as highlighted by Josh Hubbard’s impressive 23-point performance off the bench, including five 3-pointers. Tolu Smith III added 10 points and 10 rebounds, but the Bulldogs struggled from the perimeter, shooting 24.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Despite 22 offensive rebounds, Mississippi State couldn’t overcome their shooting woes. Cameron Matthews collected 11 boards, but the Bulldogs faced difficulties in capitalizing on second-chance opportunities.
Colin Richard’s remarkable first-half performance, including three 3-pointers, propelled the Gators to a 43-34 lead at halftime. Florida expanded its lead to 56-40 in the second half, with the Bulldogs managing only six points in the first seven-plus minutes.
Mississippi State, led by Hubbard’s efforts, attempted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 69-63. However, the Gators regained control, securing the victory with key plays, including two crucial free throws by Alex Condon.
Despite early shooting struggles, Florida’s defensive efforts and efficient scoring ultimately propelled them to the win. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, faced challenges with outside shooting, going 8-for-33 (24.2 percent) from 3-point range. The victory marks Florida’s positive momentum in the SEC, while Mississippi State looks to bounce back from three losses in their last four games.
