BYU Ousts Florida in Double OT in Game Gators Can't Finish

OKLAHOMA CITY – It took 17 years, eight games and two overtimes -- plus some late game heroics from Jimmer Fredette and Michael Loyd Jr. -- but BYU finally won its first NCAA tournament game since 1993, outlasting Florida 99-92 in double overtime.

Fredette finished with 37 points and Loyd had 26 for the Cougars, who will face the winner of Kansas State-North Texas on Saturday.

The seventh-seeded Cougars had lost their last seven NCAA tournament openers since beating SMU in the Midwest Region first round in 1993. They nearly made it eight consecutive NCAA tournament opening losses, but the 10th-seeded Gators failed to hit what would have been game winning shots at the end of regulation and the first overtime.

In the second overtime tied at 81, Fredette and Loyd took over, combining for 14 points in a 14-5 run. In the run, Fredette hit two 3-pointers and Loyd added another three.

The Gators' loss ended their 12-game NCAA tournament winning streak. Florida won the 2006 and 2007 NCAA Tournaments, but didn't make the past two NCAAs.

Kenny Boynton led Florida with 27 points until fouling out in the second overtime.

KEY ELEMENT: A 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Loyd was averaging 4.6 points a game, but had a career-high 26. He had 10 consecutive in the first half and had some even bigger plays in the overtime periods. He scored all six of BYU's points in the first overtime and then combined with Fredette in the second half barrage.

GAME BALL GOES TO: Fredette. In 46 minutes had 37 points, including a variety of scoop shots, twisting layups and NBA range 3-pointers.

HEART GOES OUT TO: Kenny Boynton. The Gators' freshman guard had a team-high 27 points, hitting 5 of 10 3-pointers, and helped rally the Gators from a double-digit deficit. When Boynton fouled out with 4:34 remaining in the second overtime, the Gators were outscored 15-9 the rest of the way.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Gators will return all but senior Dan Werner, so they should have the nucleus to return to the NCAAs next season. BYU advances to play the Kansas State-North Texas winner in Saturday's second round at the Ford Center.