Gators bounce back, roll past Razorbacks
GAINESVILLE — The last time the University of Arkansas won in the O’Connell Center coach Nolan Richardson and “40 Minutes of Hell” were the defending national champions’ calling card.
Twenty minutes was enough for UF coach Mike White on Wednesday night.
The Gators squandered a comfortable lead during the first 10 minutes of the second half, but found their footing just in time to salvage Senior Night with a 78-65 win.
“We stuck together the whole game,” UF senior Canyon Barry said. “I never was worried we were going to lose.”
White was not quite so confident.
“We had a couple of volatile timeouts there,” he said. “Arkansas is as dangerous an offensive team as there is. You can’t play 90 percent.
“It seems like every time you’re playing Arkansas, you’re waiting for the clock to run out.”
When it did, the Gators (24-6, 13-4 SEC) had bounced back from Saturday’s loss at Kentucky for their 10th win in 11 games and ended a five-game winning streak by Arkansas (22-8, 11-6).
The Razorbacks did not go down without a fight.
Arkansas fell behind by 16 points a little more than 10 minutes into the game and trailed by 13 at halftime, but cut UF’s lead to six points with 9:34 remaining in the game.
After a timeout by White, senior forward Canyon Barry scored on a drive to end a 6-0 Razorbacks’ run. Junior Devin Robinson hit a 3-pointer on the next possession, followed by a three-point play by redshirt freshman Stone.
“We needed that,” senior point guard Kasey Hill said of the run.
Trailing 59-45, the Razorbacks stormed back. A hook shot by big man Moses Kingsley cut UF's lead in half, at 68-61.
But Arkansas could not make the final push to pick up their first win in Gainesville since 1995, a streak of 12 losses.
Following Kingsley's basket, Barry hit 1-of-2 free throws and blocked a shot on the other end of the court by Arkansas forward Dustin Thomas. A 3-pointer by senior point guard Kasey Hill on the Gators’ next possession effectively ended Arkansas’ upset bid.
“I thought they settled down and made some plays,” Razorbacks coach Mike Anderson said. “That’s what good teams do.”
Barry’s 14 points led four UF scorers in double figures and helped the Gators build their early lead.
Senior Night could not have been scripted any better for Barry and the Gators.
UF opened Keith the game shooting 6 of 8 as each senior scored at least one basket. Making his first career start at UF, Barry led the early charge with five points, including a 3-pointer during a 10-0 Gators’ run gave them a 12-4 lead.
The Gators were warming up.
UF quickly opened up a 27-11 lead behind 12-of-16 shooting from the floor. But following a tip-in by center Kevarrius Hayes on the next possession, the Gators hit just five of their next 20 shots as the Razorbacks hung around.
The Gators managed seven points during the first seven minutes of the second half until junior point guard Chris Chiozza hit a 3-pointer with 12:37 remaining to give UF a 51-39 lead.
But UF could not pull away until late in the game.
When White called timeout with 40 seconds, though, the seniors were able to savor the moment. Hill and the Gators finally could breathe easy.
“I left out on a win,” Hill said. “And I did it with my teammates and guys I consider my brothers for the rest of my life.” just