Missouri Tigers vs Florida Gators Match Player Stats On Feb 23, 2019

After trailing for most of the game, Florida found a way to pick up another comeback win Saturday to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes intact.

Senior guard KeVaughn Allen led three scorers in double figures with 17 points, lifting the Gators to a 64-60 win over Missouri in Gainesville, Fla.

Freshman forward Keyontae Johnson added 13 points for the Gators (16-11, 8-6 SEC), who picked up their fourth straight win. Senior guard Jalen Hudson scored 11 points off the bench.

Senior point guard Jordan Geist led Missouri (12-14, 3-11 SEC) with 16 points. Down 62-60, the Tigers went for the win on the road in their last possession, but freshman guard Javon Pickett missed an open 3-point attempt with 8 seconds remaining. Johnson grabbed the rebound for Florida, and Allen made two free throws with 5.5 seconds left to seal the win.

On an afternoon when the Florida honored the 25th anniversary of its 1994 Final Four team, the Gators struggled to find any offensive consistency in the first half. Florida shot just 30.4 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes, with two assists to seven turnovers.

Missouri led 33-24 at halftime and went up 40-28 when Geist hit a 3-pointer with 17:01 left in the second half. That's when the Gators started their comeback.

Florida was able to get into the bonus with 14:54 left and took advantage. Johnson hit a 3-pointer to cut Missouri's lead to 40-33. Allen followed with seven straight points on a jumper and four free throws to cut Missouri's lead to 43-42.

Freshman guard Noah Locke gave Florida its first lead of the half, 53-52, with a 3-pointer with 7:05 left. Missouri regained the lead, going up 56-53 on a Kevin Puryear layup with 5:48 left.

But foul trouble eventually caught up to the Tigers. Starting guard Xavier Pinson fouled out with 5:24 remaining, while starting center Jeremiah Tilmon fouled out with 4:35 left.

Florida regained the lead 57-56 on two free throws from center Kevarrius Hayes, then a Hudson jumper put the Gators up 59-56 with 4:14 left. Missouri cut UF's lead to 61-60 on a putback by junior center Reid Nikko with 1:18 left. Nikko was fouled on the play and had a chance to tie the score, but missed the free throw on the three-point play attempt.

--Field Level Media