IMPRESSIVELY: Florida overcomes a tight finish to defeat LSU.

Walter Clayton Jr. scored 21 points, and Florida rallied to defeat LSU 82-80 on Tuesday night in Gainesville, Fla. Tyrese Samuel scored 15 points, Zyon Pullin added 14, and the Gators (17-7, 7-4 Southeastern Conference) triumphed for the sixth time in seven games. Will Baker and Jordan Wright each scored 16 points, while Tyrell Ward and Jalen Cook added 12 points to lead the Tigers (12-12, 4-7), who fell for the sixth time in seven games.
Samuel was fouled after retrieving an offensive rebound and converted one of two free throws with 38 seconds left to break the 78-all tie. Pullin made a steal, which led to Clayton’s basket and an 81-78 advantage with 20 seconds remaining. Wright made a layup for the Tigers with 11 seconds left, and Florida’s Alex Condon made one of two free throws for a two-point advantage with 9 seconds left. The Gators held on after Wright missed a shot from the lane just before the buzzer. Baker and Jalen Reed made consecutive 3-pointers to start the Tigers’ second-half scoring, bringing them within 10 points, 50-40.
Clayton scored five points during a 10-0 run to put the Gators up 60-40. Cook scored a 3-pointer, bringing LSU within 14 points before Florida’s Riley Kugel sank a jumper.