The No. 25 Florida Gators defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 81-71 on Thursday night in conference opener in Fayetteville. It was an impressive road win over a only once defeated Arkansas, and the Gators fourth consecutive opening conference game win.
In his homecoming, KeVaughn Allen ignited the Gator offense in the first half from beyond the arc, sinking three in the first half and notching 15 points. Devin Robinson continued his stellar play in the first half against the Razorbacks as he had 10 points and three big time dunks that gave the Gators all the momentum in the gym. In the hot first half start, the Gators shot 41% from the first and held the Hogs to 38%. The Gators entered the locker room at halftime clinging to a nine-point lead with 12 points off of the Hogs 10 turnovers.
The Gators stayed red-hot in the second half pulling away from the Hogs in Fayetteville. The Gators rode on the backs of Robinson, 17 pts, and Allen, 21 points, to their nine-point victory. Kasey Hill also caught fire in the second half causing big turnovers and throwing down a big dunk to break the spirits of the Hogs. Hill’s 10 points and six assists gave the Gators a big road win and possible resume builder for March.
Florida is back at home on Tuesday night against the Ole Miss Rebels. Mike White will look to improve to 2-0 in conference play in the first SEC game at the new Exactech Arena in Gainesville.