By Anne M. Peterson, AP Sports Writer
PORTLAND, Ore. — Jalen Hudson couldn’t wait to get back to Florida’s locker room to celebrate with his teammates following a thrilling double-overtime victory over Gonzaga.
Hudson had a career-high 35 points, including eight 3-pointers, and the No. 7 Gators downed the No. 17 Bulldogs 111-105 on Friday night at the PK80 Invitational.
“We played really tough. We never quit. They made a lot of big plays, like huge plays, big shots, Hudson said. “We just never quit, never folded. I just can’t wait to get back to my guys. I know they’re in there celebrating.”
Chris Chiozza added a career-high 26 points and 10 assists for the Gators (5-0), who go on to face No. 1 Duke in the bracket championship Sunday. The Blue Devils rallied to defeat Texas 85-78 in overtime earlier in the day.
Hudson hit a 3-pointer with 1:41 left in the second overtime that put the Gators up 106-99. Gonzaga closed within 106-102 on Johnathan Williams’ layup, then within 109-105 on Corey Kispert’s 3-pointer with 11 seconds to go, but couldn’t get closer.
Williams finished with a career-high 39 points and 12 rebounds for Gonzaga (4-1).
“This was like a Sweet 16, Elite 8 game right there,” Bulldogs coach Mark Few said.
Florida coach Mike White agreed: “Crazy game. What an unbelievable college basketball game.”
In the first overtime, Silas Melson got a layup to tie it at 95 with 1.8 seconds left, but missed a free throw that would have won it. Egor Koulechev was called for travelling on a heave down the court, giving Gonzaga back the ball with 0.7 seconds remaining but Melson missed a 3 from the corner at the buzzer.
Gonzaga went up 78-76 on Josh Perkins’ layup and free throw with 40.1 seconds left in regulation. KeVaughn Allen’s layup tied it and the game went to overtime.
“We had several opportunities to fold and our guys were extremely resilient and tough,” White said.
The crowd at the Moda Center was decidedly on the side of Gonzaga, which is about a 5 ½-hour drive from Portland. Fans gave the team a standing ovation as they left the court at halftime with a 36-29 lead.
Killian Tillie finished with 17 points for Gonzaga before he fouled out in overtime. Josh Perkins also had 17, all in the second half, before also fouling out.
The Zags and Gators were among 16 teams playing in two brackets at the PK80, which celebrates Nike co-founder Phil Knight’s 80th birthday.
Gonzaga and Florida were in the Motion Bracket, playing Friday at the Moda Center, home of the NBA’s Trail Blazers.
Melson’s early 3-pointer that put Gonzaga in front 7-2 drew a roar from the crowd. Melson went to Portland’s Jefferson High School.
Williams went on a personal 8-0 run, with a free throw, a dunk, a 3-pointer and a jumper to put Gonzaga up 27-23, and the Bulldogs went into halftime with a 36-29 lead.
Florida wrestled back the lead on Hudson’s 3-pointer, which made it 42-41. Hudson, who had just four points in the first half, hit another 3 that pushed the lead to 53-49.
The teams also met last season over the Thanksgiving holiday in the AdvoCare Invitational. Gonzaga won 77-72 and went on to win the final 73-71 over Iowa State.
Overall, the Zags won two of the previous three meetings with the Gators.
BIG PICTURE
Gonzaga: Gonzaga’s starters were all averaging in double figures going into the game, and all finished Friday night in double figures. Corey Kispert had a career-high 15 points and Melson scored 12.
Florida: The Gators were picked to finish second in the SEC preseason media poll. … The Gators averaged just over 100 points through their first four games. … Allen finished with a season-high 23 points, and was 11 for 11 from the free throw line. …. Hudson attempted 12 3-pointers.
HOMECOURT ADVANTAGE: Gonzaga’s enthusiastic fan base also turns out for Bulldogs road games at Portland, another member of the West Coast Conference. “It got really loud. It was obviously a pro-Gonzaga crowd,” White said.
After an off day Saturday, the Gators, who have scored more than 100 points in four of their five games, will play No. 1 Duke (7-0) at 10:30 p.m. Sunday for the Motion bracket championship. Florida and Duke will play for the second time in as many seasons. The Blue Devils defeated the Gators 84-74 last Dec. 6 in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.
Gonzaga will face Texas for third place Sunday.
| No. 7 FLORIDA 111, No. 17 GONZAGA 105, 2OT |
|---|
| GONZAGA (4-1) |
Williams 16-22 6-8 39, Tillie 5-8 5-6 17, Kispert 5-8 2-2 15, Melson 4-16 3-4 12, Perkins 6-16 2-3 17, Hachimura 1-4 0-0 2, Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Larsen 0-1 0-0 0, Norvell 1-4 1-2 3. Totals 38-79 19-25 105.
| FLORIDA (5-0) |
|---|
Stone 3-5 1-2 9, Chiozza 8-14 6-8 26, Hudson 11-20 5-6 35, Koulechov 1-9 2-2 4, Allen 5-16 11-11 23, Hayes 1-1 2-2 4, Gak 2-2 0-2 4, Ballard 1-3 1-2 3, Okauru 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 33-72 28-35 111.
Halftime_Gonzaga 36-29. End Of Regulation_Tied 78. End Of 1st Overtime_Tied 95. 3-Point Goals_Gonzaga 10-31 (Kispert 3-6, Perkins 3-7, Tillie 2-3, Williams 1-3, Melson 1-8, Hachimura 0-1, Norvell 0-3), Florida 17-36 (Hudson 8-12, Chiozza 4-5, Stone 2-4, Allen 2-9, Okauru 1-1, Ballard 0-1, Koulechov 0-4). Fouled Out_Hayes, Perkins, Tillie. Rebounds_Gonzaga 39 (Williams 12), Florida 35 (Koulechov 9). Assists_Gonzaga 17 (Perkins 7), Florida 22 (Chiozza 10). Total Fouls_Gonzaga 23, Florida 21.
That game was Florida Basketball at its best. It was an awesome display of skill, courage, toughness, and team gamesmanship. Yes, an instant classic! Go Gators!
That game was amazing! Love the energy of this Gator basketball team. THE GATOR NATION IS EVERYWHERE
White was right. The Gators need MONUMENTAL improvement on paint defense, cutters, and rebounding. Maybe Egbunu will make a sizeable difference protecting the rim. For now though, the Gators are exciting, entertaining and WINNING.
And that game was with 3-Gor getting only 4 points? Excellent effort and this team has the chance to have a special season. Go Gators!
I’m glad I stayed up to watch this game. These guys are really fun to watch and we are going to get better. Bring on the number one team, for now.
When can a Gator fan watch Gator Basketball ’till 2 something in the morning, then watch FLA./F.S.U. in football 10 hours later? A 1st for me, and well worth it! Hudson and Cheese played lights out, Allen was huge in critical spurts. This team picks each other up when the others aren’t playing as well, like Koulechov struggled last night. What an overall team effort! Proud to be a FLORIDA GATOR! Thanks U.F Men’s Basketball! Hopefully, you all can give Duke hell! But either way, win or lose, bring on the SEC baby!
GO GATORS!