Florida defeats Oklahoma 79-96

Oklahoma Falls Short at Home Against Florida, 96-79

In a thrilling conference matchup, the visiting Florida Gators outlasted the Oklahoma Sooners at the Lloyd Noble Center on Wednesday evening, securing a 17-point victory. The Gators' balanced attack and stifling defense ultimately proved too much for Oklahoma to overcome.

At halftime, the away team led by a modest 22 points (24-46). However, Florida's high-powered offense continued to fire on all cylinders in the second half, expanding its lead to as many as 29 points. The Sooners' comeback attempt fell short, and they were never able to get within two scores of their opponents.

Florida's dominant performance was led by its strong shooting from beyond the arc. Despite a relatively low three-point attempt rate (27.0%), the Gators made 6 of 22 shots from distance, accounting for nearly half of their total offense. The team's ability to make big shots when needed proved pivotal in their win.

Oklahoma's struggles on both ends of the court were evident throughout the contest. Despite a strong defensive effort, the Sooners struggled to contain Florida's high-powered offense, which outscored them by 14 points (60-46) in the paint. The team's ability to capitalize on Oklahoma's turnovers also proved significant, as they converted 13 points off of their opponents' miscues.

The win marks a crucial conference victory for Florida, who remains well-positioned in the standings. For Oklahoma, the loss serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done to achieve its goals this season.

Florida's balanced attack, fueled by strong shooting and stifling defense, ultimately proved too much for Oklahoma to overcome. The Gators' ability to adapt and capitalize on their opponents' mistakes was the difference maker in this closely contested contest.

GAME LEADERS

* Florida:

+ F.W. Lewis (34 points)

+ Jalen Hudson (14 assists)

* Oklahoma:

+ Austin Reaves (22 points)

+ Tyler McCants (7 rebounds)