Chiozza steals and scores to seal Gators’ last-second comeback
Chris Chiozza’s flair for the dramatic carried the day once again for the Gators.
Another last-second shot by UF’s senior point guard led the Gators to another big win on national TV.
Chiozza’s steal and breakaway layup during the final seconds of a 77-75 win at Missouri capped UF’s fifth straight win and a furious second-half comeback led Chiozza and Jalen Hudson.
In a game televised on CBS, UF trailed by 12 points during the first half. But the Gators chipped away at the deficit and tied the game 75-75 on a two free throws by Hudson after Missouri fouled him during a 3-point attempt.
Following a Tigers’ timeout, Chiozza jumped the passing lane and stole a pass intended for Mizzou point guard Jordan Geist. With the clock running down, Chiozza calmly scored a layup with less than a second remaining to stun the Tigers’ crowd.
The play comes 10 months after Chiozza earned a place in Gators’ lore with a buzzer-beating jump shot to beat Wisconsin during the Sweet 16.
Chiozza has been on a tear of late and ended Saturday with 13 points — all in the second half — and six assists.
Hudson had a team-high 16 points while senior guard Egor Koulechov added 15 points and eight rebounds. Redshirt sophomore forward Keith Stone scored 13 points following an 18-point effort last Tuesday at Texas A&M.
The Gator (11-4, 3-0 SEC) now return home to host Mississippi State Wednesday night in the O’Connell Center.
egthompson@orlando sentinel.com