GAINESVILLE, Fla. _ The Florida Gators fought, managed to hang and finally rallied late to nearly upset national power Michigan State.
But the 10th-ranked Spartans made the game-winning plays during the final minute to earn a 63-59 decision, spoiling the gritty Gators' upset bid Saturday in the O'Connell Center.
Scoreless all day, reserve wing Kyle Ahrens scored the Spartans' final seven points, beginning with a 3-pointer and ending with a two-handed dunk as the 30-second shot clock expired. The final hoop _ the dagger for the Gators _ came after UF knocked away a pass to big man Xavier Tillman that Aherns tracked down in the corner, before driving to the basket to ice the game for the Spartans (8-2).
"He's waited a long time to have a day like this _ it seems like forever," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said of Aherns. "Those were some big baskets."
UF (5-4) had its chances thanks to freshman point guard Andrew Nembhard, who showed the leadership and poise down the stretch the Gators have lacked.
"He stepped into that role," center Kevarrius Hayes said. "I look forward to see more of it. He was doing a lot of work."
Newbhard, a former standout at Montverde Academy, scored four of team's last seven baskets and assisted on two others. A layup with 1:21 remaining cut Michigan State's lead to 61-59.
"I've always been confident in my ability," Nembhard said.
With a chance to tie the game, a missed layup by senior shooting guard KeVaughn Allen on a wild drive with 54 seconds remaining was the Gators' final legitimate scoring opportunity.
In the end, UF could not contain Michigan State's 1-2 inside punch of Nick Ward and Xavier Tillman. The 6-foot-9, 245-pound Ward and 6-foot-8, 245-pound Tillman combined for 27 points on 12-of-15 shooting.
"It was amazing," Nembhard said of the Spartans' duo. "They're probably the best we'll see all season."
The Spartans finished shooting 51 percent from the field, including 60.9 percent to build a 35-27 halftime lead. But a storied program known for its discipline and physicality had 15 turnovers, including 10 in the first half, and managed just a 36-to-33 rebounding edge. UF finished with 16 offensive rebounds _ twice its season average.
"They kicked our butt at that," Izzo said. "Not too many teams do."
Twice in the second half, the Gators cut the Spartans lead to four points and each time Tillman answered with layups, the second to give Michigan State a 50-44 lead with 7:52 remaining.
Ultimately, the Gators cut the lead to four points four times during the second half.
Center Kevarrius Hayes finally cut the lead to three points when he converted the second of two free throws to make the score 50-47
A 3-point play by Hayes cut the lead to just two points, at 52-50.
The Spartans pushed the lead back to 56-50. Following a 3-pointer by Allen, Aherns and Nembhard took over for their teams.
"It wasn't the prettiest game we played," Izzo said. "Florida had a lot to do with that. I'm going to take the win and get out of here."
Nembhard hopes the Gators can build on the loss.
"I think we can stay with any team in the country," he said. "But we have a lot of things to improve."
