Florida comes up clutch once again; no call costs Vanderbilt?

For the third time in SEC play, Florida as taken to overtime.

And for the third time, the Gators made enough plays late in the game to pull out a 65-61 victory over Vanderbilt.

Impressive for a team that doesn't have a go-to scorer, right?

Tonight it was Kenny Boynton's turn. With 1:04 left in overtime, Boynton -- who may be the most clutch sub-30% three point shooter in the country -- buried a three from the corner to give Florida a 63-61 lead. After a controversial no call on a John Jenkins three (more on that in a second), Chandler Parsons grabbed an offensive rebound off of his own miss with 15 seconds left. He hit two free throws that all but sealed the game.


Parsons has been terrific since the turn of the calender. In nine games (eight in SEC play), he is averaging 12.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg, and 3.7 apg. That includes his 18-point, 11-rebound performance tonight.

Florida has played 11 games this season decided by six points or less (if you include their double overtime win against Georgia). They are 8-3 in those games, winning six of the last seven. Four of those wins -- Florida State, Xavier, Tennessee, Georgia -- came against quality competition on the road. Its the reason that Florida has vaulted into sole possession of first place in the SEC East, two games ahead of Tennessee in the win column.

Vanderbilt, on the other hand, drops to 3-4 in the SEC East and dangerously close to the edge of the bubble. Tonight's game was one that the Commodores desperately needed, which is why head coach Kevin Stallings was so upset about the no call on Jenkins' airballed three pointer.

"He doesn't shoot many air balls," Vandy coach Kevin Stallings said. "I've watched him play for a long time and I haven't seen many air balls come off that kid's hand."

Kenny Boynton had this to say about the no-call: "I think I got him, but I think on the other end they missed some fouls, too. If they called it, they called it. I think I jumped too high and he kind of tried to draw it. It was a foul, but they missed it."

To be fair, if there was a foul, it would have drastically changed the outcome of the game. Instead of Florida having possession, up two, with 45 seconds left, Jenkins would have been headed to the line for a chance to give Vandy the lead. Boynton, on the replay, didn't make contact with Jenkins arms, but his left hand gave the shooter a bit of a shove.