Live blog: No. 2 Florida beats LSU 79-65

With Florida trying to maintain its momentum so it can secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, every game is important. And no opponent can be taken lightly. That included LSU, which was next to last in the SEC standings entering Saturday’s game against the Gators.

No. 2 Florida didn’t play its best. But when it was over the Gators had another double-digit win.

Final score: Gators 79, Tigers 65.

Florida improves to 24-3 overall, 11-3 in the SEC. LSU is 14-13, 3-11. The Gators now have won for the ninth time in 10 games.

Center Rueben Chinyelu led Florida in points (19) and rebounds (13). Forward Thomas Haugh added 16 points and 10 boards. Below, you’ll find a recap of the game.

Meanwhile, join the discussion at SWAMP TALK.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 69, LSU 59 (04:16)

Another 6-0 run has given the Gators their first double-digit lead of the half. Guard Alijah Martin has struggled much of the night, but just picked up six quick points and now has 13 after knocking down a 3-pointer. Florida is in control, but there still is lots of time left on the clock. Florida has 18 offensive rebounds.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 60, LSU 56 (07:13)

A quick 4-0 LSU run has at least temporarily stopped a big Gators run.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 60, LSU 52 (08:49)

Florida has made eight of its last 11 shots and is on a 22-6 run. Center Rueben Chinyelu has 15 points and nine rebounds — both team highs — to lead UF. Florida is 13 of 21 from the floor this half. Forward Thomas Haugh has 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 49, LSU 48 (14:25)

Florida has made five of its last seven shots to regain the lead. Center Rueben Chinyelu has a team-high 15 points and guard Walter Clayton has 13 to lead the Gators. UF now is shooting 40 percent from the field. While that isn’t great, the Gators are nine of 15 in the second half.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 42, LSU 46 (14:25)

After falling behind by eight, the Gators seem to be getting more into the groove on the offensive end. Guard Walter Clayton has five points in the half and 11 for the game to lead UF. He had been pretty quiet until recently. LSU has made seven 3-pointers to only four for the Gators. That is concerning.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 31, LSU 37 (HALF)

Florida built and then lost a 14-point lead in the opening half and LSU closed on a shocking 22-2 run. How did it happen? Simple — UF couldn’t make a bucket. The Gators finished the half only 11 of 34 from the field and 4 of 14 from 3-point range. Center Rueben Chinyelu leads the Gators with eight points. But he’s only 3 of 8 from the floor. After a slow start, LSU now is 6 of 16 from 3-point range.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 29, LSU 26 (03:53)

An 11-0 run has LSU right back in the game. The Gators simply aren’t shooting well and have made only one of their last nine field goals. Florida now is 10 of 27 from the floor. LSU isn’t shooting much better, but has started to finally knock down some shots. Forward Robert Miller leads the Tigers with seven points.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 27, LSU 15 (07:34)

A little more than halfway through the first half, the Gators are in control at the moment. They have outshot and out rebounded the Tigers by significant margins. Florida is 4 of 9 from 3-point range while LSU is only 1 of 8. Center Rueben Chinyelu leads the Gators with eight points. He’s 3 of 5 from the field.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 18, LSU 7 (11:52)

The Gators already have made three 3-pointers and hold a 12-6 edge on the glass. Meanwhile, Florida does not yet have any turnovers. Guard Alijah Martin, who just connected on a 3-pointer, leads the Gators with five points.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 9, LSU 4 (15:53)

The Gators haven’t shot particularly well but they are hurting LSU on the boards (6-3) and already have three offensive boards. Post player Rueben Chinyelu leads the Gators with four early points.

How to watch Florida against LSU

When: Saturday, Feb. 22
Where: Pete Maravich Assembly Center (13,215) | Baton Rouge, La.
Time: 6 p.m. ET 
TV | Stream: SEC Network | ESPN app
On the call: Play-by-Play: Kevin Fitzgerald, Analyst: Jon Sundvold

Florida-LSU injury report

Florida starter Alex Condon is listed as questionable. Fellow UF forward Sam Alexis is out along with LSU forward Jalen Reed.

Florida Gators projected starters

No.	Player	Position	Height/Weight	Class	Min.	Pts.	Rebs.	Misc.
1	Walter Clayton Jr.	Guard	6-2, 195 pounds	Sr.	31.8	17.2	3.6	4.2 ast
11	Denzel Aberdeen	Guard	6-5, 190 pounds	Jr.	21.3	8.6	2.0	1.8 ast
5	Will Richard	Guard	6-4, 206 pounds	Sr.	31.8	13.0	4.8	1.8 stl
10	Thomas Haugh	Forward	6-9, 215 pounds	So.	23.3	8.6	6.2	1.8 ast
9	Rueben Chinyelu	Center	6-10, 260 pounds	So.	19.9	5.7	6.3	1.0 blk

LSU Tigers projected starters

No.	Player	Position	Height/Weight	Class	Min.	Pts.	Rebs.	Misc.
5	Cam Carter	Guard	6-3, 190 pounds	Sr.	33.0	17.3	4.1	2.7 ast
4	Dji Bailey	Guard	6-5, 195 pounds	Gr.	31.0	8.8	4.4	2.2 ast
3	Curtis Givens III	Guard	6-3, 185 pounds	Fr.	16.7	4.6	1.5	1.5 ast
0	Vyctorius Miller	Guard	6-5, 185 pounds	Fr.	19.3	9.2	2.5	1.4 ast
10	Daimion Collins	Forward	6-9, 200 pounds	R-Jr.	21.1	8.6	4.5	1.7 blk