Perry scores career-high 27, Miss State tops Florida 78-71

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Reggie Perry scored a career-high 27 points, Robert Woodard added 16 and Mississippi State beat Florida 78-71 on Tuesday night for its fourth straight victory in Southeastern Conference play.

Tyson Carter chipped in 12, including seven straight points to turn the game in the second half. The Bulldogs (13-7, 4-3) rallied from 16 points down to notch their first road victory of 2020.

Florida (12-8, 4-3) was hot early, shooting 58% in the first half and making 8 of 14 from 3-point range.

But Mississippi State whittled the lead behind Perry and really took over after intermission. The Bulldogs made 12 of their first 17 shots (71%) in the second half to help build a comfortable lead.

Florida had no answer for Perry inside or out. The 250-pound sophomore made 9 of 14 shots, including all three from behind the arc. He also was 6 of 7 from the free-throw line to go along with eight rebounds and seven turnovers.

Perry tied his previous career high (26) last week against Arkansas, but was even better in Gainesville. Nick Weatherspoon also reached double figures for State, finishing with 13 points and eight assists.

Scottie Lewis led Florida with a career-high 17 points, including 10 in the first five minutes of the game. Kerry Blackshear Jr. added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Gators, who have dropped three straight.

Florida had chances down the stretch. Trailing 70-66 with about three minutes remaining, Keyontae Johnson missed a layup from point-blank range and Noah Locke dribbled off his foot on the following possession.

Woodard drained a 3 on the other end to extend the lead back to seven.

Florida led by as many as 16 in what was one of its best halves of the season. Coach Mike White’s freshmen were particularly on point.

Lewis, in the starting lineup for the first time in three weeks, scored 10 of Florida’s first 12 points. He finished the half with 13 points and tied his previous career high on the first possession of the second half.

Fellow freshman Tre Mann made two 3-pointers in the opening half. Ques Glover made both of his shots, and big man Omar Payne did a little bit of everything off the bench.

The Gators were up 36-20 with six minutes to play in the half, then Blackshear picked up his second foul a minute later. Perry took over, scoring eight points down the stretch and getting the Bulldogs back in the game.

BIG PICTURE

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs have won four straight in SEC play. This is the most impressive of the bunch because it came on the road.

Florida: White’s job status is suddenly being openly questioned. The Gators gave him a contract extension after last season, but the lackluster job he’s done with his most talented team has prompted growing criticism.

KOBE TRIBUTE

Florida paid tribute to late NBA star Kobe Bryant by draping two replica No. 24 Lakers jerseys over seats along Florida’s bench during warmups. The jerseys were removed just before the opening tip.

“I was always a fan of his approach to the game and his competitive spirit,” White said. “What a winner. Enjoyed watching him win championships for a long time and competed at a high level. I think we were all kind of anxious to see what was around the corner for him next. Just tragic.”

UP NEXT

Mississippi State: Hosts Tennessee on Saturday. The Bulldogs have lost four in a row and 10 of the last 12 in the series.

Florida: Plays at Vanderbilt on Saturday. The Gators swept the season series last year for the first time since 2011. The Commodores are the only SEC team still winless in league play.