Inspired Effort Falls Short As Gators Lose Heartbreaker At Alabama
Wednesday’s game between the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide saw two of the hottest teams in the SEC facing off and while the Gators (18-8, 8-5 SEC) fought hard in a tough road environment their efforts ultimately came up short with the home Crimson Tide (19-7, 11-2 SEC) winning 98-93 in an overtime thriller. It was the Gators who controlled much of this game holding on to a lead for the bulk of action for a second half surge by the Crimson Tide brought them back into the game and when it seems like Florida started to get fatigued Alabama continued to keep their foot on the gas and that was the difference. Considering what a spectacular game this was you can expect some fireworks again soon as the Crimson Tide will go on the road to face the Gators later in the season and if both teams continue to play as they currently are–an SEC Tournament matchup also seems like a distinct possibility.
Florida Gators guard Will Richard #5 shooting during the second half as the Florida Gators mens basketball team hosts the #6 ranked Kentucky Wildcats at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Florida. January 6th, 2024. Gator Country Photo by David Bowie.
BASKETBALL
Inspired Effort Falls Short As Gators Lose Heartbreaker At Alabama
By Eric Fawcett – February 21, 2024
Wednesday’s game between the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide saw two of the hottest teams in the SEC facing off and while the Gators (18-8, 8-5 SEC) fought hard in a tough road environment their efforts ultimately came up short with the home Crimson Tide (19-7, 11-2 SEC) winning 98-93 in an overtime thriller. It was the Gators who controlled much of this game holding on to a lead for the bulk of action for a second half surge by the Crimson Tide brought them back into the game and when it seems like Florida started to get fatigued Alabama continued to keep their foot on the gas and that was the difference. Considering what a spectacular game this was you can expect some fireworks again soon as the Crimson Tide will go on the road to face the Gators later in the season and if both teams continue to play as they currently are–an SEC Tournament matchup also seems like a distinct possibility.
Crunch Time
Let’s break down the biggest minutes of the game–the final moments of regulation and overtime. With 1:43 remaining in the second half Tyrese Samuel had a smooth hook shot to make it 83-80 for the Gators. Rylan Griffen sprinted out in transition and missed an early look from three, but North Dakota State transfer Grant Nelson (who had 22 points) was on the scene to grab the rebound, face up, and put on a smooth move at the rim to finish with a foul on Tyrese Samuel to make it a three-point play which he converted (83-83). Zyon Pullin, who was quarterbacking much of Florida’s late game offense, once again made a huge play to calmly come off a screen, get a paint touch, and finish to make it 85-83. Alabama’s leader Mark Sears then took the ball up the court and went to attack with Will Richard making an aggressive steal attempt from behind. While it looked like it could have been clean, the ref called a foul and with the Crimson Tide in bonus Sears went to the line and hit both to tie things at 85-85 with under a minute remaining. The Gators chose not to call a timeout and got a pretty good look from Walter Clayton which was missed, but Micah Handlogten got the offensive board and Zyon Pullin got a second opportunity which also couldn’t find the net and Alabama had the ball with the game tied at 85 with 16 seconds remaining. Mark Sears got the ball and aggressively attacked downhill, getting a step on his defender, it looked like he was going to get a game winning layup when Micah Handlogten rotated over and swatted the ball away, his second huge block in crunch time of the second half, and the game went to overtime.
In the extra frame the Gators looked fatigued and didn’t score for the first half of the frame with Alabama jumping ahead to a 92-85 lead. The Gators didn’t quit, however, and Walter Clayton went to work scoring the Gators next 6 points bringing the game to 94-91 followed by Alex Condon hitting a short jumper to make it 94-93 with 37 seconds remaining. With that time on the clock it looked like the Gators needed to get a stop and would get the ball back, and that all started with slowing down Mark Sears. The Gators forced the ball out of his hands with a double team and it ended in the hands of forward Rylan Griffen who loaded up, rose, fired–and missed. Unfortunately for the Gators, Will Richard turned up the floor looking for a transition opportunity leaving his check, Aaron Estrada, completely left without a box out. Estrada got the uncontested rebound before softly laying it in giving Alabama a 3-point lead with 9 seconds remaining. Florida rushed the ball up the court and got a Walter Clayton heave which came up empty, and the Gators fell short.
