The Florida Gators blew a seven-point lead against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers in their first-round game in the NCAA Tournament on Thursday.
But that was just the first half. And after the break, the Gators were done letting the Buccaneers.
Florida burst from the gate against the Bucs, turning a one-point halftime edge into a lead that swelled to as many as 16 points by outscoring ETSU 47-33 in the second half, and claiming a 80-65 win — the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory in three years.
Devin Robinson scored 24 points — 10 on five thunderous dunks — and nabbed seven rebounds to lead the Gators, who also got 14 points each from Chris Chiozza and Kasey Hill.