It looked like Florida again would blow a late lead with cold shooting. But Florida rallied in overtime to defeat Vanderbilt, 65-61.
The Gators (17-5, 6-2) took a 54-48 lead with 3:50 left in regulation, but failed to score in the remainder of the second half. With three trips to the foul line and the return of UF's cold second half shooting, Vandy (15-6, 3-4) was able to tie the game. In OT, Chandler Parsons scored four of his team leading 18 points and calmly made two late free throws to clinch the game. Parsons was 5-6 at the line and had a double-double with 11 rebounds.
Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton each had 15 points, as Florida's starting big men combined for eight points on 4-13 shooting. Florida's victory will cover up another awful free throw shooting night: 15-26 (57%).
At the halfway point, the Gators are second in the SEC behind 5-1 Alabama. UF leads the East over 4-2 Tennessee and 4-3 Kentucky. UF plays Kentucky Saturday night in Gainesville.