Missouri State Shocks Florida With Grill’s 22-Point Outburst, Ending Gators’ Home Dominance

In a stunning upset that rocked the college basketball world, the Missouri State Bears stunned the mighty Florida Gators 74-61 at the Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Florida, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. Led by a 22-point outburst from senior guard Ja’Monta Black, the Bears snapped Florida’s 34-game home winning streak, the longest active streak in the nation.

A David-versus-Goliath Battle

This matchup was a classic David-versus-Goliath battle, pitting the 24th-ranked Gators, a perennial NCAA Tournament contender, against Missouri State, a mid-major team from the Missouri Valley Conference. The Gators entered the game as heavy favorites, but the Bears had other plans.

From the tip-off, Missouri State played with an intensity and determination that belied their status as underdogs. They raced out to an early lead and never looked back. Black, a 6’3″ guard, was unstoppable, slashing to the basket with ease and draining shots from beyond the arc. He finished the game with 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three-point range.

Gators’ Struggles

Meanwhile, Florida looked out of sorts throughout the game. Their usually potent offense was stifled by Missouri State’s suffocating defense. The Gators shot just 38% from the field and turned the ball over 15 times, many of which led to easy baskets for the Bears.

Star forward Colin Castleton, who entered the game averaging 17 points and 9 rebounds, was held to just 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting. Guard Kyle Lofton, another key contributor, had an off night, finishing with only 6 points on 2-of-12 shooting.

Missouri State’s Defensive Dominance

Missouri State’s defense was the bedrock of their victory. Led by 6’9″ center Donovan Mourning Jr., the son of NBA Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning, the Bears clogged the paint and made it difficult for the Gators to get easy looks at the basket. They forced 15 turnovers and held Florida to just 27% shooting from three-point range.

Key Turnovers and Missed Opportunities

In a game of this magnitude, every possession counts, and Missouri State capitalized on Florida’s mistakes. The Gators committed several uncharacteristic turnovers at crucial moments, allowing the Bears to extend their lead.

Additionally, Florida had several chances to cut into Missouri State’s lead, but they couldn’t convert. They missed several open shots and failed to capitalize on some defensive breakdowns by the Bears.

Upset of the Season

Missouri State’s victory is arguably the biggest upset of the college basketball season thus far. The Bears, who were picked to finish eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference, have now defeated a top-25 opponent on the road. This win is a testament to their hard work, determination, and the leadership of coach Dana Ford.

Implications for Florida

The loss is a major setback for Florida, who dropped to 5-2 on the season. It also snapped their 34-game home winning streak, which was the longest active streak in the nation. The Gators will need to regroup quickly as they have a challenging schedule ahead, including upcoming games against No. 12 Ohio State and No. 20 Xavier.

Lessons for Both Teams

This game provides valuable lessons for both teams. Missouri State has proven that they are a team to be taken seriously, and they have the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament if they continue to play with the same intensity and determination.

For Florida, this loss is a wake-up call. They need to improve their execution, particularly in key moments, and they need to find a way to get their key players going consistently. However, the season is still young, and the Gators have the talent and experience to bounce back and contend for a national championship.

Conclusion

Missouri State’s stunning upset of Florida is a reminder that anything is possible in college basketball. The Bears played with heart and determination, and they executed their game plan to perfection. Florida, on the other hand, learned a valuable lesson about complacency and the importance of playing every game with the same intensity.

This game will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most memorable upsets in recent college basketball history, and it is sure to have implications for both teams as the season progresses.