Will Spradling scored 17 points and Kansas State used a strong second-half run to deal eighth-ranked Florida a 67-61 loss at the Sprint Center.
Spradling added six rebounds and five assists for Kansas State (9-2), which outscored the Gators by an 11-2 count over a five-minute stretch to turn a one-point lead into a 57-47 advantage with 5:20 to play. Rodney McGruder chipped in 13 points and six boards to help the Wildcats post their fourth win in five games.
"That was a heck of an effort by our guys," Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said. "We had to compete for 40 minutes just to give ourselves a chance."
Superior free throw shooting also played a part in Kansas State prevailing. The Wildcats ended the night 20-of-29 from the foul line, while Florida made only 10-of-15 looks from the stripe.
The Gators (8-2) suffered their second setback in three outings following a 7-0 start despite a 19-point, 10-rebound effort from Patric Young. Kenny Boynton and Scottie Wilbekin each recorded 11 points in defeat.
"I thought in the game (the Wildcats) were just a step ahead of us and a step quicker," Florida coach Billy Donovan said.
Florida fought back from an 10-point halftime deficit to forge a 41-41 tie on a Boynton 3-pointer with 13:21 to go, and the Wildcats were clinging to a 46-45 edge after the Gators' Mike Rosario buried a long-range jumper less than three minutes later.
However, Kansas State -- which entered the matchup ranked third nationally in 3-point percentage defense -- clamped down afterward while its offense delivered several clutch shots.
Up 50-47 with under nine minutes to go, Martavious Irving drained a 3-ball to push the Wildcats' lead to six. Spradling and Jordan Henriquez then combined for four made free throws during a Florida cold spell that made it a 10-point differential with under 5 1/2 minutes left.
The Gators would put up six of the next seven points to pull within 58-53 entering the final two minutes, but Shane Southwell knocked down a 3-pointer on Kansas State's next trip to help keep Florida at bay. The Wildcats then preserved the win by hitting 6-of-8 foul shots down the stretch.
Florida held a slim 19-17 lead with 7 1/2 minutes remaining in the first half, but Kansas State ripped off nine consecutive points to kick-start a 16-3 overall surge to move in front.
Spradling netted five points during the burst, which ended when McGruder dropped in 1-of-2 foul shots to put the Wildcats up 33-22 with 55 seconds left. Young would close out the period with a made free throw to provide a 10- point spread at the break.
Florida shot a subpar 30.8 percent (8-of-26) in the first half, but began the second on fire. The Gators outscored Kansas State by a 12-3 count over the initial four minutes to pull within 36-35, and evened the score at 41-41 on Boynton's trey shortly afterward.
Game Notes
