Most would see Richmond on their schedule and say, “Oh, well we can chalk this up as a win.” But sometimes, thinking ahead of the game can come back and “bite” you. That’s exactly what happened to the Gators when the Richmond Spiders appeared on their schedule. Luckily, this loss came before conference play, so the Gators still have time to work out all their kinks and get set for their long, strenuous conference schedule.

It seemed like everything was going smooth from the beginning until the last minute winded down in the first half after the Gators took a 32-19 lead. Richmond scored 5 easy points just before the half ended and you could tell right then that they were starting to go downhill.

Florida (8-2) lost to No. 5 Syracuse last week and now against Richmond makes it two in a row.

Kevin Anderson made four free throws with about 5 seconds remaining for the Spiders (8-3) who have now defeated two SEC teams this year. Richmond beat Mississippi State on November 27.

The Gators show 7 for 27 in the second half (26 percent) including 1 for 9 from beyond the three point line. Florida did come back at one point to take the lead 49-48 but it didn’t last long. Richmond guard David Gonzalvez shot 50 percent from the floor and 4 for 9 from beyond the arc and totaled for 16 points all together on the night.

Junior forward Alex Tyus led the Gators with 15 points on 7 for 10 shooting from the field. Redshirt junior Macklin led the team in rebounds with 11. Both Kenny Boynton and Ray Shipman were pretty much shut down, Boynton finished with six and Shipman with zero. Werner, Parsons, and Walker all scored nine a piece. It just wasn’t the night for the Gators.

The Gators are back in action on Tuesday in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center as they host the South Alabama Jaguars (8-4) at 7 p.m.