The Gators (22-5, 12-2) held off Mississippi State (14-12, 5-9) 57-52 on Saturday afternoon in Starkville, Mississippi.
The Gators led for most of this contest, including 32-24 at halftime, but a slam dunk from Aric Holman tied the game at 52-52 with 2:23 remaining. From there the Bulldogs could not make the crucial shots, while the Gators scored the game's next five points, to secure their eighth straight win.
Chris Chiozza scored 14 points to lead the Gators, while KeVaughn Allen added 11. Kevarrius Hayes and Devin Robinson also checked in with 10 rebounds each for the Gators. Mississippi State was led by 17 points from Quinndary Weatherspoon in the losing cause.
The Gators return to Tallahassee to host #21 South Carolina on Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 PM and can be heard throughout Tampa Bay on 620 WDAE & 95.3 FM.