On a night when the Florida Gators’ clear leader was suffering the effects of strep throat and coming off the bench, it seemed likely that they would need someone else to step up.
They got that — and the leader played well enough, too.
Egor Koulechov rained 23 points on Mississippi State — including 17 in the first half, which at one point tied the Bulldogs’ output — and Chris Chiozza had 10 points and seven assists as a reserve in a 71-54 win.
Koulechov’s hot shooting (9-for-13 from the floor, 4-for-5 from three) helped Florida survive a slow start that granted the Bulldogs a 7-2 lead and spotty offensive performances from KeVaughn Allen (three points on one shot) and Jalen Hudson (12 points, but on 13 shots), but it was the Gators’ defense that clamped down on Mississippi State all night.