Live blog: No. 4 Florida beats No. 21 Missouri in SEC Tourney quarterfinal, 95-81

When Florida played Missouri on Jan. 14, the Tigers shocked the Gators 83-82 to end UF’s 16-game winning streak at home. Friday, Florida got even.

In a strong offensive display, the Gators shot 61.8 percent from the floor and four players scored in double-figures as No. 4 UF beat No. 21 Missouri 95-81 in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals in Nashville, Tn.

Florida improves to 28-4 overall. The Gators, who have won 10 of their last 11 games, might be on the verge of being a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Tigers fell to 22-11.

Florida guard Walter Clayton led UF with 18 points. Guards Will Richard and Alijah Martin had 17 each. Forward Thomas Haugh scored 16.

Below, Gators Online will provide live game updates. Meanwhile, you can join the discussion with other fans at Swamp Talk, our message board community.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 95, Missouri 79 (01:19)

The Gators have hit their last five shots to break this open. For the game, Florida is shooting 66.7 percent from the field to only 44.1 for the Tigers. Four Gators have 16 or more points.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 85, Missouri 75 (03:28)

Missouri won’t go away but every time the Tigers get close Florida responds with a little run. Four Gators are in double-figures scoring, led by guard Walter Clayton’s 18. Florida is a stellar 30 of 47 from the field (63.6 percent), but 16 UF turnovers have kept this a game.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 74, Missouri 66 (07:45)

The Gators just committed their 16th turnover. Missouri has attempted 16 more field goals than UF.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 74, Missouri 64 (09:01)

The Tigers closed to within 64-60 but a 10-4 UF run has the Gators back out in front by double-digits. Florida guard Alijah Martin is having a strong half and now has 14 points. Florida guard Walter Clayton briefly left the game with a sore hamstring but is back on the court. He leads the Gators with 17 points.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 67, Missouri 60 (11:42)

Even though the Gators are shooting 64.9 percent from the field, this one has gotten tight. You can thank 14 UF turnovers for that. Meanwhile, the Tigers hold a 25-19 rebound edge. Florida guard Walter Clayton, who leads UF with 17 points, left the game during the last few minutes. He was limping and his status isn’t yet known.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 62, Missouri 51 (14:58)

Florida’s hot shooting has continued in the second half and forward Thomas Haugh has reached double-figures with 11 points. The Gators, however, have committed 13 turnovers and that has led to 18 Missouri points. Guard Tamar Bates leads the Tigers with 14 points.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 50, Missouri 37 (HALF)

It has been the Walter Clayton show thus far. The Florida guard has 17 points and four assists at the break while shooting 6 of 8 from the floor — 3 of 4 from 3-point range. Another UF guard, Will Richard has 13 points. The Gators are shooting 63 percent from the field and 50 percent from deep.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 41, Missouri 30 (03:53)

Florida has made four of its last five shots and is shooting an incredible 71 percent from the field in the first half. Gators guard Walter Clayton already has 12 points and four assists; guard Will Richard has 11 points. The Gators have nine turnovers, but have forced six.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 33, Missouri 24 (07:21)

The Tigers closed to within four (28-24) but Florida has rallied with a 5-0 run. Gators guard Will Richard just knocked down his third triple and he leads UF with 11 points. Florida is 6 of 8 from deep while Missouri is only 2 for 9.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 27, Missouri 13 (11:03)

The Gators have played lights out thus far. They’re 9 of 12 from the field and 5 of 6 from 3-point range. Guards Walter Clayton (10) and Will Richard (eight) have combined for 18 points. The Tigers are 0 for 4 from deep and are shooting 42.9 percent overall.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 15, Missouri 6 (15:23)

Missouri is fighting to stay in it and is on a 4-2 mini-run. The Gators are 5 of 7 from the field and a perfect 3 of 3 on 3-pointers. On the flip side, UF has committed two early turnovers.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 10, Missouri 0 (18:25)

What a start for UF as the Gators have made three of their first four shots, with two makes being 3-pointers from guard Will Richard. Richard already has eight points.

Florida Gators projected starters

No.	Player	Position	Height/Weight	Class	Min.	Pts.	Rebs.	Misc.
1	Walter Clayton Jr.	Guard	6-2, 195 pounds	Sr.	32.3	17.2	3.8	4.3 ast
15	Alijah Martin	Guard	6-2, 210 pounds	Gr.	30.2	14.5	4.7	2.3 ast
5	Will Richard	Guard	6-4, 206 pounds	Sr.	31.5	13.3	4.7	1.7 stl
21	Alex Condon	Forward	6-11, 230 pounds	So.	25.0	11.4	8.0	2.3 ast
9	Rueben Chinyelu	Center	6-10, 260 pounds	So.	19.5	6.0	6.5	1.0 blk

Missouri Tigers projected starters

No.	Player	Position	Height/Weight	Class	Min.	Pts.	Rebs.	Misc.
0	Anthony Robinson II	Guard	6-3, 180 pounds	So.	23.0	9.2	3.2	3.5 ast
2	Tamar Bates	Guard	6-5, 195 pounds	Sr.	25.6	12.9	2.6	1.4 stl
12	Tony Perkins	Guard	6-4, 200 pounds	Gr.	23.1	8.2	2.4	2.5 ast
25	Mark Mitchell	Forward	6-9, 230 pounds	Jr.	28.1	14.3	4.7	2.0 ast
11	Trent Pierce	Forward	6-10, 220 pounds	So.	17.1	6.9	3.3	1.0 ast