Ole Miss’ third straight loss, and fourth in its last five games, came in a brutal 90-86 defeat in overtime at the hands of Florida in Gainesville.
The Rebels led 76-73 in the game’s final possession with eight seconds left, elected not to foul Florida as it moved the basketball up the court and KeVaughn Allen ensured that decision was a costly one as he drilled a contested three pointer over K.J. Buffen to send the game to overtime.
Florida went on a 10-3 spurt to begin the five minute period and held on for the win.
Terence Davis had 26 points on 8-of-17 shooting. Breein Tyree added 20 and a commendable effort from Buffen was squandered as the freshman posted 17 points with five rebounds. Ole Miss overcame a seven-point second half deficit in a game in which the lead changed hands 17 times. The Rebels led by four with three minutes left and twice led by three points in the final minute.
This was a brutal loss for a team that has now hit its first real losing skid of the season. The Rebels sit last 14-6 (4-3) with Mississippi State coming to Oxford on Saturday. Ole Miss is by no means sunk at this juncture, but with the schedule its has in front of it, the road ahead got a little more daunting after a loss to a Florida team that had been struggling and badly needed a victory.
Tipoff on Saturday against the Bulldogs is slated for 2:30 P.M.
