Florida vs. Georgia rating: Bulldogs upset No. 3 Gators in large win to spice up NCAA Event hopes

Georgia acquired a much-needed signature win to bolster its missing NCAA Event resume, upsetting No. 3 Florida 88-83 on Tuesday night time in Athens, Georgia. The unranked Bulldogs stormed out of the gate, main by as many as 26 factors within the first half, then held off a wild Gators comeback after halftime. Florida erased the Georgia benefit, taking the lead with 1:28 to play earlier than the Bulldogs retook it for good in a frenetic closing stretch.

The win is Georgia’s first over an AP-ranked top-three staff since defeating Georgia Tech 83-80 in double additional time on Jan. 3, 2004.

Georgia’s Silas Demary Jr. led the staff with 21 factors, and 5 totally different UGA gamers scored in double figures. The offensive explosion marked essentially the most factors towards an towards SEC opponent the season and the Bulldogs’ highest level complete towards a top-10 staff since 1994.

Florida extremely erased the massive deficit to take the lead for the primary time at 80-78 with just below 90 seconds remaining within the second half. However simply because it appeared as UGA was able to soften all the best way down, the Bulldogs rallied for a 10-3 run over the sport’s last 47 seconds — propelled by a gutsy shot from Blue Cain.

Georgia had misplaced 17 straight towards top-three opponents and eight straight towards ranked groups coming into the sport. 

Success from the 3-point line aided the upset as Georgia completed 10 of 19 from past the arc, essentially the most it has made towards an SEC opponent all season. Florida canned 11 of its 32 3-point makes an attempt however missed 15 of its 27 shot makes an attempt that certified as layups, per Stat Broadcast. The Gators additionally transformed simply 18 of its 29 free throw makes an attempt.

Jerry Palm projected Georgia amongst his First 4 out of the NCAA Event’s 68-team bracket getting into the day, however the win — its third in a Quadrant 1 alternative — will push the Bulldogs towards proper aspect of the bubble image. 

Florida, in the meantime, falls to 24-4 on the season and 11-4 in SEC play, leaving Auburn and Alabama alone at No. 1 and No. 2 within the league standings.