GAINESVILLE — Jalen Hudson had one thing left to do after Florida’s sixth consecutive victory.
"We got to wipe down everything with some Clorox and bleach," Hudson said.
It might have helped more a few weeks ago.
Egor Koulechov scored 23, including UF’s first 13 of the game, and the sick and shorthanded Gators beat Mississippi State 71-54 Wednesday for their longest winning streak of the season.
Hudson added 12 points despite missing 10 of 13 shots, and Florida won its eighth straight against the Bulldogs (13-3, 1-2 SEC).
Chris Chiozza, who missed practice this week because of strep throat, finished with 10 points and seven assists off the bench. Keith Stone chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds.
"Boy, it’s been a crazy year," UF coach Mike White said. "We’ve got to wash our hands more."
The Gators (12-4, 4-0) opened a 10-point lead early in the second half when Chiozza hit a 3 and converted a four-point play on consecutive possessions. Koulechov piled on a few minutes later, hitting a 3 in transition and adding a dunk off Chiozza’s steal.
L’VILLE 73, NO. 23 FSU 69: The visiting Cardinals (12-4, 2-1 ACC) rallied from a 13-point deficit at halftime to halt the 28-game home winning streak for the Seminoles (12-4, 1-3). The streak was the third best in the nation.
No. 1 ’nova 89, No. 10 Xavier 65: Phil Booth hit five 3s and scored 21 and Jalen Brunson had 17 to lead the host Wildcats (15-1, 3-1, Big East). Booth and Brunson opened the game with 3s as Villanova played raced to a 22-9 lead over the Musketeers (15-3, 3-2).
No. 4 Mich. St. 76, Rutgers 72 (OT): Sophomore standout Miles Bridges ended his scoreless start with 7:43 left in regulation and finished with just 11 points to barely help the host Spartans (16-2, 4-1 Big Ten) bounce back from their loss at Ohio State. Bridges missed his first five shots and one of two free throws with eight seconds left with a chance to give Michigan State the lead. The preseason All-American opened overtime with a 3 and finished with as many turnovers (3) as made shots on 10 attempts.
No. 7 Duke 87, Pitt 52: Marvin Bagley scored 16 and grabbed 15 rebounds as the visiting Blue Devils (14-2, 2-2 ACC) had little trouble bouncing back from Saturday’s loss at N. C. State.
CARDINAL TRANSFERS: Suspended Louisville freshman Brian Bowen has enrolled at South Carolina. Bowen was held out of practices and games after Louisville announced it was being investigated as part of a federal corruption probe of bribery that led to the firing of coach Rick Pitino. The 6-7 forward will sit out the next two semesters before hitting the court, due to NCAA transfer rules.
INDIANA: Center De’Ron Davis will miss the rest of the season after having surgery for a torn Achilles tendon.
TEXAS: Sophomore Andrew Jones has started treatment for leukemia, the school said. Jones led the team in scoring with a 15-point average before breaking his wrist in December. He played sparingly in his return in late December after complaining of low energy and was sent for tests.
USF WOMEN ROLL: Four players finished in double figures to help the Bulls put up their highest scoring total ever against host Temple, 89-73. Kitija Laksa led the way with 29 points for USF (13-4, 3-1 AAC).
Football
CAIN JOINS McCLOUD IN CLEMSON EXODUS: Former Tampa Bay Tech receiver Deon Cain became part of the growing list of Clemson underclassmen declaring for the NFL draft. Cain joined receiver and fellow Tampa product Ray-Ray McCloud (Sickles High), safety Van Smith and offensive lineman Taylor Hearn as Tigers giving up their remaining eligibility. Cain was the team’s second-leading receiver with 58 catches for 734 yards and six touchdowns this past season.
MORE LEAVING EARLY FOR DRAFT: LSU leading rusher Derrius Guice is forgoing his senior season, saying he’s ready to begin the "next chapter" in his life by turning pro. … Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley is skipping his final season, two days after the Crimson Tide won the second national championship of his three-year career. Widely projected as a first-round pick, Ridley led the Tide in receiving this past season with 63 catches for 967 yards. No other wide receiver caught more than 14 balls.