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Shooting struggles doom Gators in 75-54 loss to No. 5 UConn

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•12/07/22•

ZachAbolverdi

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Florida guard Trey Bonham. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Shooting struggles, both from the floor and at the foul line, doomed the Gators in their 75-54 loss to No. 5 UConn on Wednesday in Exactech Arena.

Florida finished with a season-worst 30 percent from the field, making just 16 of 53 shot attempts. UF’s previous low this year was 34.5 percent in the loss to West Virginia.

“Offensively, we just didn’t hit shots,” Colin Castleton said. “Sixteen of 53 is horrific.”

The Huskies led by double digits for the final 25 minutes, including 20-plus points over the last two and a half. Wednesday marked Florida’s second 20-point loss in four games (84-55 to WVU).

The Gators shot 64 percent from the charity stripe (18 of 28), one of their lowest free throw percentages of the season. They were also 27 percent from downtown (4 of 15).

“We have to make some shots,” UF coach Todd Golden said. “Tonight we weren’t able to get comfortable offensively. And that is a big reason why weren’t able to be effective. Not only was it bad offensively, but when you’re not able to score and you keep letting them run out off misses, it’s harder to guard defensively as well. It’s all connected. And I think offensively, it kind of stymied us.”

The Gators were outrebounded 42-28 on the glass, matching their lowest rebounding total of the season (28 against West Virginia). The Huskies also had a 40-22 advantage in the paint.

Alex Fudge and Riley Kugel both posted a team-high 13 points and Castleton finished with 12. Will Richard was held scoreless as well as Kyle Lofton, who returned after missing the last two games.

UConn was led by Adama Sanogo with 17 points, with Donovan Clingan (16), Jordan Hawkins (15) and Joey Calcaterra (11) also scoring in double figures.

The Gators (6-4) are back in action against Ohio next Wednesday in Tampa. The game will tip at 7 p.m. on ESPN 2.

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