The Gators had a golden opportunity to pick up a resume-building win over a top-15 opponent at home on Wednesday night.
LSU’s starting point guard, Xavier Pinson, didn’t play due to a sprained right MCL that he suffered in their game on Saturday. Forward Tari Eason, one of their top players off of the bench, fouled out with 14 minutes left to play. Starting center Efton Reid fouled out with 7:16 to go.
After trailing by as many as 14 points in both halves, Florida rallied to make it a 54-53 game with a little more than six minutes remaining.