Arizona was led by Jesse Perry's career high 23 points as well as 19 points from Kyle Fogg. The Gators were paced by Patric Young's 25 point, 10 rebound double-double.
This was a back and forth game that looked like it would go Florida's way, until Solomon Hill was fouled on a three-point "shot" with 3.9 seconds left. Hill made all three free throws and after a deep three point shot was missed by Florida, the game headed to overtime.
It was all Florida from there. They outscored Arizona twelve to six in overtime and three of those six Wildcat points came on a three at the end of the game. Irving Walker led Florida in overtime with seven points, half of his points for the game.
Arizona was plagued by fouls the entire night, especially when Hill fouled out with two minutes left and Arizona only down by two. Kyle Fogg and Nick Johnson also fouled out with under a minute and a half left in the game.
Many felt Arizona would have no chance travelling across the country to face a Top15 team, but Arizona showed they have what it takes to compete against the best.
Arizona defense played a great game holding Florida 41 percent shooting and only 26 percent from deep. Arizona however, did slightly better making 46 percent of their shots and 38 percent of their outside jumpers. Florida could have run away with game if they had simply made free throws. As a team they missed 17 free throws and only shot 47 percent.
Kevin Parrom kept Arizona in the game at the beginning,scoring 11 points in the first half, including a floater at the buzzer which put the Wildcats up 33-32.
Parrom finished with 13 points, but other than Perry and Fogg, Arizona did not get much help from the rest of the team. Nick Johnson, usually a consistent scorer was not able to get free tonight.
Johnson, who was plugged into the point guard role after the recent suspension of Josiah Turner, had only five points along with five turnovers. This was the first game he acted like a freshman, looking hurried at points as well as not always taking the open shot.
Arizona heads into their next game against Clemson with good momentum and shouldn't be to worried about their loss to the Gators.
Arizona faces the Clemson Tigers on Saturday, December 10th at 2pm Tucson time.