Wednesday, February 05, 2014
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Florida 68, Missouri 58

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[February 05, 2014]  GAINESVILLE, Fla. — No. 4 Florida 68, Missouri 58: Michael Frazier II buried three 3-pointers during a decisive run in the second half and finished with 14 points as the Gators held off the Tigers for their 14th consecutive victory — and 27th in a row at home.

Highly regarded freshman Chris Walker recorded four points, two blocks and two rebounds in seven minutes in his first collegiate game for Florida (20-2, 9-0 SEC), which overcame its first halftime deficit of the season at home. Scottie Wilbekin scored a career-high 19 while Patric Young contributed 13 points and six rebounds.

Jabari Brown had 15 points — including three 3-pointers — and six assists for Missouri (16-6, 4-5), which was held to its lowest point total of the season by the nation's No. 6 team in scoring defense entering the game. Jordan Clarkson added 14 points after combining with Brown to score 61 in Saturday's 84-79 loss to Kentucky.

Walker's second alley-oop dunk in a span of 2:03 came with six seconds left in the first half before Brown answered with a jumper from some 28 feet at the buzzer to put Missouri ahead 28-25 at the break. Young's jump hook with 14:57 left followed Frazier's 3-pointer and provided Florida its first lead of the second half 37-35.

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Frazier's 3-pointer with 8:59 remaining gave the Gators the lead for good and his third in a span of 1:56 highlighted a 16-3 run which catapulted Florida into a 59-48 lead with 3:17 to go. The Tigers missed nine of their 10 shots from the field during the spurt and Wilbekin converted 7-of-8 free throws in the final 2:24 to seal it.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Walker, a 6-10 forward who was cleared to play following the NCAA's investigation involving improper benefits he received during his AAU career, made his first appearance with 11:28 left in the first half and recorded two blocks, a rebound and a personal foul in a stretch of 2:41 before heading back to the bench. ... Florida recorded its 16th consecutive 20-win season, the fourth-longest active streak behind Kansas (24), Duke (17) and Syracuse (17). ... Florida, which set a school record with its 14th straight SEC victory at home, recorded 15 assists on its 19 field goals, led by Kasey Hill's six.

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