Florida holds off Missouri

With a 16-0 run to start the second quarter, the Gators opened a 48-28 lead early in the second half. The Tigers got back in the game with a 14-0 run in the third quarter and closed within 60-57 with 4:07 to play. In the first round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday, 11th-seeded Florida defeated 14th-seeded Missouri 66-60, thanks to a string of critical jumpers from Alberte Rimdal and Leilani Correa.

Rimdal's jumper stopped an 8-0 Missouri run and after both teams missed several chances, Jeriah Warren scored for the Gators. Aliyah Matharu made two free throws with 39 seconds to play for a 66-57 lead. Mizzou only made 1 of 9 shots at the end of the game, and that wasn't going to get it done.

Florida will have to start fast like they did in the second quarter of this game. They will have to apply pressure early as they prepare to take on a tough Vanderbilt team on Thursday night. They cannot afford to ease up like they did today against Missouri, because if they do it could be a tough night for the Gators.