The No. 11 Florida Gators take on the No. 6 ranked Syracuse Orange in the SEC/Big East tournament in St. Pete. Gator Sports Nation will keep you updated with live coverage on the game.

1st Half:

Florida started off with an Erving Walker three pointer and their defense came to life, forcing an early turnover by the Orange. Florida gave up the ball the very next possession and Andy Rautins knocks down a three to tie the game. But Florida guard Erving Walker stays hot as he knocks down his second three the very next trip down the court. Syracuse started to make a little run after forcing a couple Florida turnovers. Vernon Macklin makes a great three point play to cut the lead down to two and Ray Shipman breaks loose from a steal but misses a layup and resulted in a Syracuse layup. Chandler Parsons answers back with a three but Florida fails to get back in transition which gave up a free layup, but Parsons comes back down the floor and knocks down a two pointer that knocked the score down 22-20. The Gators show great ball movement and penetration but they couldn’t knock down a shot. Syracuse makes another little run and stretches the lead to ten, Florida seems like they can’t run with them, not getting back on defense. Florida is getting several good looks but can’t knock down anything. Right after a media timeout, Werner knocks down a two from the free throw line and followed by that was a nice hustle play from Erving Walker that led to a steal and a Gator layup. Another second chance opportunity for the Orange turns into a Florida foul and sends them to the line. Next trip down, Alex Tyus throws down a dunk and closes the gap, 35-28. A third chance for the Orange underneath the bucket, sends them to the freethrow line. The Gators have several chances but turned the ball over every time. With under 20 seconds remaining in the half, Tyus makes a hook shot but Syracuse comes down the floor and throws an alley with no time left.

Florida needs to work on:
- Stopping the Syracuse fast break. Their defense could not get back in time to stop Syracuse from scoring on an easy layup.
- Florida needs to stop the second chance opportunities underneath the basket.
- Eliminate R. Jackson from getting to the hole. (Jackson has 16 points in the first half.)
- Stop turning the ball over.
- Knock down the wide open shots

2nd Half:

Florida received the ball at the start of the second half and opened up the first 20 seconds with a nice flush to Alex Tyus that knocked the lead down to 4. Florida started hitting the little 10 foot jump shots and finally started to attack the wings, but defensive wise they are having a tough time defending Jackson. Florida just ran out of gas.. Florida defeated by Syracuse by 12 points, 85-73.