Florida scored 100 points in Friday’s NCAA tournament game. It wasn’t enough.
Colorado blew a late 13-point lead then saw junior guard KJ Simpson stun the Gators with a game-winning jumper that bounced around the rim and in to secure a 102-100 thriller for the Buffaloes.
Colorado led, 94-81 with 4:30 remaining. But Florida mounted a 19-6 to rally tie the game on a Walter Clayton Jr. 3-pointer with 9.5 seconds remaining.
Colorado had the last look. And Simpson took advantage. Simpson took an inbounds pass in the frontcourt with 6.1 seconds remaining. He ran to the right corner and pulled up for a jumper. The ball bounced several times around the rim before dropping in to give the Buffaloes a 102-100 lead.
Florida’s last-gasp heave missed, and Colorado held on for victory.
The frantic finish concluded the highest-scoring game of the tournament so far and saw Colorado advance to face No. 2 seed Marquette in Sunday’s second round.
