By MIKE BONTS
GATORS INSIDER
(NASSAU, Bahamas) - D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera hit a pull-up jumper with 3.4 seconds left in overtime and Georgetown beat 18th-ranked Florida 66-65 in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis.
Following 21 lead changes and 10 ties throughout the game, Georgetown (4-0) won the game on the Smith-Rivera jumper after being down one point, 65-64, on its final possession.
Kasey Hill helped the Gators gain that one point advantage on a three-point-play that included a layup and made free throw with 12 seconds left. To force overtime, Jacob Kurtz stood his ground and forced a charging foul on the defensive end with the game tied at 53-53 and 35 seconds left.
On the ensuing possession, Eli Carter had a layup blocked with three seconds to go in regulation.
After Florida led 22-21 with 6:05 remaining in the first half, GU closed the half on a 10-4 run and led the Gators, 31-27 at intermission.
Florida ( 2-2) held Georgetown to 26 percent (6-of-23) from long range, the lowest total for an opponent this season since it held William & Mary to 9.1 percent from downtown on 2-of-22 shooting in the season-opener.
UF held GU to its lowest point total (66) of the season, as the Hoyas scored 83, 78 and 80 points in its first three contests.
Florida out rebounded the Hoyas, 37-34, including an 18-9 margin on the offensive glass. Three players scored in double figures, led by Dorian Finney-Smith with 16 points
GATORS NOTES: With the win, GU holds the all-time series lead over UF, 3-2. In overtime contests, the Gators fell to 49-41 all-time, while moving to 18-16 under Billy Donovan. Tonight mark the second straight game UF has gone into overtime, as the Gators defeated ULM, 61-56 last Friday at home. UF’s last three contests have been decided by five or less points.The Gators have made a 3-pointer in 767 consecutive games dating back to 1992.
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