The Florida Gators are now on an eight-game win streak, courtesy of their 73-65 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores. Bradley Beal, Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker led the way for the Gators, while Mike Rosario and Will Yeguete also came up big throughout the game. Boynton had a team-high 18 points, including two late free throws and a late three-pointer to seal the victory.
The victory is also the Gators' 19th consecutive win at home, which is the seventh longest streak in the country.
Coming into the game both teams ranked in the top 10 nationally in effective field goal percentage. As is seemingly common in those situations, both teams struggled shooting the ball. The Gators, who were fourth in the country, shot 37 percent from the field, while Vanderbilt, ranked eighth, shot 41 percent.
Beal filled up the score sheet with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists, finishing as the Gators' second leading scorer on the day. Walker chipped in with 11 points, five rebounds and five assists, while Rosario -- whose defense played a big part in the victory -- had 10 points, two rebounds and two assists off the bench to finish up the four Gators who scored in double figures.
Patric Young, who got his first start since coming off the bench the last five games, was largely ineffective due to foul trouble. Young played only 14 minutes and had just two points and four rebounds while picking up the four personal fouls that kept him on the bench for large portions of the game.
The Gators as a whole shot 16 of 17 from the free throw line, which, according to CBS RapidReports, is their best performance in a victory this season. The Gators also out-rebounded the Commodores, 31 to 29; considering that Young and Erik Murphy were in foul trouble for stretches, that is quite an accomplishment.
Jeffery Taylor led the Commodores with 25 points, while star players Festus Ezeli and John Jenkins were held in check by the Gators defense, scoring 11 and 15 points, respectively.
Florida next plays at Kentucky on Tuesday night.