News / Sports
NCAA Tournament Scores: Florida Gators Survive Upset Bid from Purdue to Advance
The top seeded Florida Gators used a 7-0 run late in the second half to overcome a two point deficit and held on to beat the number nine seeded Purdue Boilermakers 74-67 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.
Purdue had held a seven point advantage in the first half but the Gators were able to fight back and tie the score 29-29 before Carl Landry put the Boilermakers in front 31-29 with a jumper to lead at the break.
It took the Gators nearly four minutes to hit their first field goal in the second half but Purdue struggled from the floor as well, hitting just two shots from the floor in the opening 6:13 and the Boilermakers held on to a 38-37 lead.
Taurean Green then hit a pair of three-pointers for the Gators and they jumped in front by five but Purdue went on a 9-0 run and were back in front 49-47 with 7:08 on the clock. That’s when the Gators went on a 7-0 run and took the lead for good. Purdue was as close as close as three with 1:56 remaining but Al Horford buried a triple and the Gators added some cushion to their lead.
Florida then hit all eight of their free-throw attempts in the closing 37 seconds to seal the win and move on in the tournament. The Gators will now face the Butler Bulldogs in the Sweet Sixteen.
Horford finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds for the Gators while Corey Brewer added 17 points and 8 boards in the win.
