GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In a thrilling game on Tuesday night, Caleb Grill was pivotal for Missouri, contributing 22 points and crucially sinking two free throws with just five seconds left, leading the Tigers to a surprising 83-82 victory over the No. 5 ranked Florida Gators. This loss put an end to Florida’s impressive home winning streak of 16 games.
Mark Mitchell also played a significant role, scoring 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds for Missouri (14-3, 3-1 in the Southeastern Conference). This victory marked the Tigers’ first triumph on the road against a top-five opponent since 2012. Anthony Robinson II made a solid contribution as well, adding 12 points during the game.
Missouri established dominance early in the match, taking control in the first half and building a notable lead of 19 points. Grill was particularly instrumental, hitting four three-pointers within the first ten minutes, including three in a row. Despite a small controversy regarding one of his threes, where replays indicated his foot was on the line, he managed to hit another crucial shot with 2:23 remaining. After previously missing two free throws shortly after, he ultimately made the critical shots that secured the win.
For Florida (15-2, 2-2), who were favored to win by ten points, the second half was a test of their resilience. Although they fought hard and put up a strong performance, they were unable to take the lead. Walter Clayton Jr. emerged as a standout for the Gators, scoring a game-high 28 points.
In the aftermath, Missouri has proved itself as a formidable contender in the SEC, even in light of an earlier loss to Auburn. Meanwhile, Florida was aware that the pressure was rising, as Coach Todd Golden discussed the increasing target on their backs with each passing victory.
One notable moment came when Clayton approached the free-throw line for three shots with 2:38 remaining in the game, but to the surprise of many, he missed the first two attempts. This was unexpected for the Gators, given his impressive 88% career free-throw shooting percentage.
In an impressive show of tenacity, Missouri finished the game with 15 offensive rebounds, applying physicality and intensity in the O’Connell Center, characteristics Florida is typically known for.
Looking ahead, Missouri will host Arkansas in their next match on Saturday, while Florida is set to face Texas earlier in the day.
