Florida tops Missouri in afternoon game due to winter storm

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Florida hangs on to hand Missouri fourth straight loss

Florida takes a late lead on free throws, and the Gators' defense hangs tough against Missouri in the final seconds to win 66-65.

Feb 2, 2023, 11:00 pm

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- — Myreon Jones had 18 points and five 3-pointers, Tyree Appleby scored all 17 of his points in the second half and Florida beat Missouri 66-65 on Wednesday in a game moved ahead six hours due to a winter storm.

Phlandrous Fleming Jr. opened the game with the first of Florida's eight 3-pointers in the first half, but the Gators only led 33-31 at the break.

Missouri took the lead with 16:03 left in the second half and held it until the closing seconds when Appleby made two free throws at 7.9. Amari Davis appeared to have an open layup at the other end but Florida forward Tuongthach Gatkek blocked it out of bounds. Missouri inbounded it with 2.2 seconds left, but Jarron Coleman's corner 3-pointer was off the mark at the buzzer.

Florida made 17 straight free throws over the final 7:55 — with eight coming from Appleby in the closing three minutes.

Anthony Duruji added 14 points and Fleming scored 12 on 2-of-10 shooting for Florida (14-8, 4-5 SEC). Gatkek finished with five blocks, and Duruji reached 1,000 career points on a 3-pointer midway through the second half to pull within 48-43.

Jones made all five of his 3-pointers in the first half as Florida went 8 of 14 from distance and 11 of 23 overall. Appleby played less than five first-half minutes due to foul trouble.

Ronnie DeGray III scored 13 points for Missouri (8-13, 2-6). Coleman added 12 and DaJuan Gordon had 10.

Both teams play again on Saturday. Florida hosts Mississippi and Missouri is at Texas A&M.

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