Chandler Parsons Saves The Gators Against NC State

With a 70 foot bomb, Chandler Parsons capped a last dash comeback, as Florida defeated NC State 62-61 in overtime. NC State led 57-52 with 22 seconds left when Kenny Boynton sunk a three to make it interesting. NC State only made one free throw on the return, while Erving Walker was fouled before a three-point attempt, but hit his free throws, making it 58-57 for NC State. Trading foul shots, NC State got back to the line with a 60-59 lead. After converting the first, NC State's Farnold Degand missed the second, allowing Parsons to pick it clean, curl back and launch a shot from just inside UF's three-point line.

The Gators (11-3) kept it close, despite NC State (10-4) playing slow and sending it inside to Tracy Smith, who had 21 points and could not be answered. The Gators also could not score from the arc, going 3-24 from three point range. UF kept plugging away, with Vernon Macklin providing 14 points and Alex Tyus getting 11. Parsons ended with five points, Boynton scored seven and Walker getting 13. The Gators and Wolfpack each had 41 rebounds in a game that had few fouls.

This was a very nice win, especially in the way UF survived NC State's rush to end regulation and overcame Walker's missed three-pointer to end the second half. Rather than lay down, UF's rally from a 56-50 deficit with just over a minute remaining was a sign that the rumors of Florida's demise are greatly exaggerated. The Gators return to play January 9 at Vanderbilt in their SEC opener.

Parsons' shot on video;