Florida suffers record-setting loss to winless Texas Southern

The Florida Gators suffered a record-setting loss to the winless Texas Southern Tigers on Monday, losing 69-54 in the SEC’s first-ever ranked loss to the SWAC. No. 20 Florida was upset by the 0-7 Tigers, the first time a ranked SEC team has lost to a Southwestern Athletic Conference team. The SEC was 51-0 against the SWAC since 1936.

Florida falls to Texas Southern

Texas Southern jumped out to an early lead over Florida, leading by ten at the half and out-rebounding the Gators 22-11. Adding to the disappointing result for Florida, the game was played on the Gators’ home court.

Since 1980, the previous worst record by any team that defeated an AP-ranked opponent was 0-3. Louisiana defeated Maryland that year for their first win of the season.

Texas Southern entered the game on Monday with an 0-7 record, a new record for college basketball as they took down the No. 20 Florida Gators.

Florida was held to just shooting 38.2 percent from the field, while the Tigers shot an impressive 54.4 percent. The Tigers also held the Gators to 20.8 percent from three-point territory on 5-24 shooting. Florida struggled in their previous game against Oklahoma with shooting from deep, going 4-24 from three-point range in that game as well.

Despite Texas Southern having 12 more turnovers on the game, they dominated the glass. Florida was out-rebounded 46-23 in the loss.

Brandon McKissic led the Gators with 15 points on four-of-six shooting on three-point attempts. PJ Henry and Joirdon Karl Nicholas both came off the bench for the Tigers and scored 16 and 14 points respectively.

As Florida began the second half appearing to take a little bit of momentum back, Texas Southern came up with multiple timely shots to hold their lead. By the middle of the second half, Texas Southern had grown their lead from halftime and continued to score.

Florida has now suffered back-to-back losses after starting 6-0 on the year, certain to fall out of the AP rankings after Monday’s loss. Texas Southern improved to 1-7 on the year with the win. Despite having no wins until Monday, the Tigers played competitive games with two other ranked opponents this season. The Tigers lost to Oregon by 17 to open the year, and fell to BYU by 17 in November.