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Florida Atlantic hits 13 treys to hand Gators their first loss

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi11/15/22ZachAbolverdi
On3 image
Florida guard Kyle Lofton against FAU. (UAA Photo)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In their first of two in-state matchups this week, the Gators men’s basketball team dropped its first game of the season with a 76-74 loss to Florida Atlantic on Monday at the O’Dome.

Tied 35-all at the break, Florida jumped out to a double-digit lead five minutes into the second half, fell behind at the 9:13 mark and trailed by 14 points with under five minutes left before storming back.

Todd Golden’s team scored 10 straight points, including two treys and a jumper from Kowacie Reeves, to make it 71-67 with 2:27 left. Will Richard hit two free throws — after a technical foul on FAU for calling timeout with none left — and then drained a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to two with 13 seconds remaining, but the Gators couldn’t complete the comeback despite Colin Castleton’s second consecutive 30-point game.

The Owls burned Florida from beyond the arc, knocking down 13 of their 24 3-point attempts. It’s the most 3-pointers allowed by UF since Vanderbilt made 15 last season on March 1.

Florida Atlantic (2-1) had a trio of double-digit scorers in guards Michael Forrest (20 points), Johnell Davis (18 points) and Alijah Martin (11 points). They combined for 11 of FAU’s 3-pointers, including a dagger from Martin at the 1:38 mark that put the Owls up by 7.

Castleton, the first UF player with back-to-back 30-point games since Anthony Roberson in 2005, posted his first double-double of the season with 12 rebounds and five blocks. UF had three more players finish in double figures in Kyle Lofton (14 points), Reeves (14) and Richard (11).

The Gators (2-1) return to the court on Friday for their first road game at rival Florida State. The Seminoles (0-3) have opened the season with losses to Stetson, UCF and Troy.

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