Florida can't hold off Gonzaga, falls in AdvoCare Invitational semifinal
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) -- Josh Perkins had 18 points and Silas Melson scored 10 of his 12 during a second-half rally as No. 11 Gonzaga beat Florida 77-72 on Friday night in a semifinal at the AdvoCare Invitational.
After getting down by 11 points in the opening half, Melson hit two 3s during a 15-2 run that put Gonzaga ahead 68-59 with 5 1/2 minutes left. He made two free throws with 22.9 seconds remaining to make it 76-70.
The Bulldogs (5-0) got 16 points from Johnathan Williams, while Nigel Williams-Goss added 14.
Devin Robinson lead Florida (5-1) with 18 points and KeVaughn Allen had 15.
Robinson had 13 points, including Florida's first nine, as the Gators went up 37-32 at halftime.
Gonzaga, which trailed by 11 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the first half, had a late surge keyed by three of Perkins' 15 first-half points. Zach Collins had a slam that got the Bulldogs within 31-27 right after Florida's Canyon Barry, the son of NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry, misfired on a breakaway dunk attempt.
Rick Barry was at the game.
BIG PICTURE
Florida beat Seton Hall 81-76 on Thursday in a matchup of teams that received votes in this week's AP poll. The Gators came up short in a bid to start a season 6-0 or better for the 10th time.
Gonzaga improved to 8-0 in the Thanksgiving tournament at Disney formerly known as the Old Spice Classic. The Bulldogs won the event in 2008 and 2012.
UP NEXT
Florida will go against Miami in Sunday's third-place game.
Gonzaga and No. 21 Iowa State will play for the championship on Sunday.
