National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Florida 68, Louisiana State 62
When: 1:30 PM ET, Saturday, January 9, 2016
Where: Stephen C. O'Connell Center, Gainesville, Florida
Officials: # Tony Henderson, # Byron Jarrett, # Kipp Kissinger
Attendance: 11350

LSU freshman forward Ben Simmons stuffed the stat sheet Saturday, but it was not enough to prevent Florida from taking a 68-62 Southeastern Conference win at the O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

Simmons collected game-high totals of 28 points and 17 rebounds while also doling out four assists, but committed eight second-half turnovers as the Tigers (9-6, 2-1 SEC) absorbed their first conference defeat.

Forwards Justin Leon and Dorian Finney-Smith each scored 14 points to pace the Gators (10-5, 2-1), coming off an 83-69 drubbing at Tennessee Wednesday night. Florida took the lead 20 seconds into the game and never let go, although Simmons threatened late.

Scoring his team's last 12 points, Simmons drew LSU within 63-62 on a 3-point play with 1:12 remaining. But center John Egbunu tossed in a jump hook with 48 seconds left for a three-point lead, followed by a walking violation on Simmons.

Egbunu, who finished with 13 points, canned two free throws with 21 seconds remaining to seal the outcome. The Gators won despite 38.1 percent field-goal shooting and 56.7 percent foul shooting.

Guard Keith Hornsby added 10 points for the Tigers, who lost despite a 50-38 rebounding advantage.
Top Game Performances
 
Louisiana State   Florida
Ben Simmons 28 Scoring Dorian Finney-Smith 14
Ben Simmons 4 Assists Chris Chiozza 8
Ben Simmons 17 Rebounds Justin Leon 9
Ben Simmons 14 Free Throws Made John Egbunu 5
Antonio Blakeney 1 Steals Kasey Hill 3
Darcy Malone 1 Blocks John Egbunu 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Louisiana State 62 35.7 3-20 19-27 10 45 3 4 17
Florida 68 38.1 3-18 17-30 11 36 2 5 5