Florida Gators vs Clemson Tigers Box Score on Dec 16, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Dec 16, 2017

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Junior guard Marcquise Reed scored 22 points and reached a milestone on Saturday afternoon, leading Clemson to a 71-69 upset win over 22nd-ranked Florida in the annual Orange Bowl Classic at the BB&T Center.

Clemson (9-1), which was predicted to finish 11th in the ACC, is off to its best 10-game start since 2008-2009.

Florida (6-4), which has lost four of its past five games, was led by Virginia Tech transfer Jalen Hudson, who had a game-high 23 points. Guards Chris Chiozza (14 points) and KeVaughan Allen (12 points) also contributed for the Gators.

With Florida down two points, Hudson deliberately missed the second of two free throw attempts with two seconds left, but David Skara grabbed the rebound for Clemson and was fouled. He missed both of his free throw attempts to keep the final margin at 71-69.

Reed reached his 1,000-point milestone in the second half. His backcourt mate, Gabe DeVoe, added 19 points.

The first half featured a lot of scoring. Florida, led by Hudson's 17 points and Allen's 12 points, carved out a 51-49 lead.

Clemson, which got 14 first-half points each by DeVoe and Reed, made 13 free throws in the first 20 minutes -- six more than Florida. But the Gators had an 8-4 advantage in 3-pointers

NOTES: The game, played at the home of the NHL's Florida Panthers, was delayed more than once due to moisture on the court as well as a lighting problem. ... Clemson and Florida faced each other for the first time in 50 years. ... Florida was without two players: starting C John Egbunu and freshman F Isaiah Stokes. Both have knee injuries, and both are expected to miss at least one more month. ... Clemson plays host to rival South Carolina on Tuesday. While Clemson has missed the NCAA Tournament six straight years, South Carolina reached the 2017 Final Four. ... Florida plays James Madison on Wednesday and Incarnate Word on Friday before opening SEC play on Dec. 30 against visiting Vanderbilt.