Oklahoma outlasts Gators in Jumpman Invitational

The Florida Gators fell to 7-5 on the season Tuesday with a 62-53 loss to Oklahoma in the Jumpman Invitational.

UF was up 31-29 at the half, then lost the lead a few minutes into the second period. The Gators pulled within two and three points late in the game but couldn’t overcome the deficit.

Florida shot an abysmal 2-of-22 from beyond the 3-point line (season-worst 9 percent) and finished the night just 20-of-60 from the floor, shooting (32.8 percent). It marked UF’s second time shooting 30 percent in the last three games (30.2 percent against UConn).

“Disappointing outcome,” Gators coach Todd Golden said after the loss to Oklahoma. “I thought we competed really well, which was something that we obviously emphasized and have been getting better at. Defended them very well. Obviously, a good offensive team, held them under 40 percent on the night. Did a good enough job on the glass. Did a great job taking care of the basketball.

“But to beat good teams, you’ve got to make shots. Two for twenty-two from three — a couple of those were late, so let’s just say two for twenty — ain’t going to be good enough to get it done against a team like Oklahoma. I think that’s why we were not able to be victorious tonight.”

Colin Castleton led the Gators with 22 points and eight rebounds, shooting 8-for-15 from the field and 6-for-7 from the free throw line. It marked his fourth 20-point game of the season and the 12th of his career.

Trey Bonham also scored in double figures, finishing with 14 points including 10 in the first half. Florida’s other three starters combined for just 8 points.

Alex Fudge was held scoreless after four straight double-digit performances and Will Richard failed to make a 3-pointer (0-for-5 from downtown) for the third game in a row.

Grant Sherfield posted a team-high 22 points for the Sooners and Tanner Groves added 13 points, including a key 3-pointer at the end of the first half.

The Gators must now regroup and return to the court on Dec. 28 for their SEC opener at Auburn. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Florida a combined 0-5 in Quad I and Quad II games entering conference play.

“We’ve gotten a lot better from where we were at the beginning of the season as a team, with not a lot to show for it against these better opponents,” Golden said. “So, we’re in a spot where we get a couple days off to go home and spend time with our families for the holiday, come back the night of Christmas to prepare for Auburn. What’s our response going to be?

“Are we going to come back and continue pouring into what we’ve been doing the last month that’s gotten us to this position of getting right at the cusp of being a really good team? Or are we going to let doubt creep in and start pointing fingers or thinking that things aren’t going the way they should be? But that’s what a good program’s about, is having that belief, that toughness, that grit. We’re not by any means a finished product, but in my mind we’re getting closer. … We’re right there, gotta be a little tougher, continue to have the belief in what we’re doing, and I think we’ll get over the hump if we can do that.”