University of Missouri
Florida
Wright Propels Mizzou Past Gators, 64-52
2/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Freshman guard Namon Wright scored a career-high 28 points off 10-of-13 shooting to lead Mizzou to a 64-52 win over Florida on Tuesday night at Mizzou Arena. It was the Tigers' first win since Jan. 8, and denied Gators coach Billy Donovan of his 500th career win.
Tuesday's win was all about Wright, as he turned in just the ninth 25-point single-game performance by a freshman in program history. He is the first to do so since Kareem Rush had 31 in the 1999-2000 season. Wright's 28 points are the most by a Tiger since Jabari Brown netted 30 last season against Davidson. He was complemented by nine points from both Montaque Gill-Caesar and Johnathan Williams, III. Mizzou's freshman class scored 41 of the team's 64 points.
Wright led the Tigers in scoring with 12 points going into the locker room; Mizzou led for the majority of the first half before Florida pulled away in the waning minutes to take a 31-27 lead at the break.
The second half started with more back-and-forth scoring. A foul by Florida's Chris Chiozza put Wright at the charity stripe, where he hit both free throws to give Mizzou the lead, 37-35, with 16:15 left in the half.
Florida answered with a 7-0 run to put the game at 44-37, but the run ended with Jakeenan Gant hitting a jumper. Gant ended the night with four points and six rebounds. He also made one of most electrifying plays of the game, blocking a shot on the defensive end and turning it into a fast-break alley-oop dunk from Keith Shamburger. With 8:13 left in the ball game, two made free throws by Gill-Caesar pushed the Tigers ahead of the Gators, 46-45.
The Gators had no further answer for the Mizzou offense as the Tigers went on a 21-6 run over the last 8:13. Free throws were the key over this stretch, as Mizzou did not net a field goal in the last 4:14, but knocked down 11 free throws, contributing to the Tigers' 19-of-27 night from the charity stripe. Conversely, Florida finished just 9-of-23 at the line.
Mizzou is on the road this Saturday (Feb. 28) in Athens, Ga. for an early 11 a.m. CT contest against Georgia on ESPNU. The Tigers then return home for one final game at Mizzou Arena to face the Auburn Tigers on Tuesday (March 3) for Senior Night at 8 p.m.
