With starters Eli Carter (injured foot) and Dorian Finney-Smith (wrist fracture) unavailable for action, the Florida Gators needed every bit of 40 minutes - and 5 minutes of extra time - to get by the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, 61-56 on Friday night in Gainesville.
Florida trailed by as many as 12 points to the Warhawks in the first half but rallied to take an eight point lead late in the game. However, ULM would mount its own rally to send the game into overtime.
In the extra session, the Gators would get contributions from Jacob Kurtz, a walk-on pressed into service due to the injuries, and Michael Frazier to eek out the win. Kurtz finished with 13 rebounds to go with his six points. Fraziers ended up with 21 points - 16 in the second half - to lead the way for the Gators.
"I just wanted to win," Frazier said afterwards. "I was just trying to do whatever I could to win the game. We got the result we wanted."
Gators coach Billy Donovan expressed concern about his team’s lack of depth - and its shooting woes - after the game. Donovan said Carter could miss the entire season after injuring his ankle in practice on Thursday, while Finney-Smith sat out his second consecutive game with his hand injury. He also has academic issues, according to Donovan.
"This will probably look like our team going to the Bahamas," Donovan said about his current crew.
The Gators did get forward Chris Walker back from suspension, and he scored four points to go with six boards.
Florida, now 2-1, opens the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament against Georgetown next Wednesday. ULM, which dropped to 2-1 with the loss, will meet up with Coastal Carolina, also on Wednesday.