GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Morgan Willam scored a season-high 21 points, leading four Mississippi State players in double figures, and the No. 8 Bulldogs beat Florida 76-70 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams Sunday.
The Bulldogs (14-1) extended their winning streak to nine and ended Florida's 12-game winning streak.
The Gators (12-2) trailed by double digits much of the afternoon, but cut the lead to 72-68 on Carlie Needles' 3-pointer with 49 seconds to play. They couldn't get any closer and lost for the first time since Nov. 13.
Mississippi State won consecutive league openers for the first time since 1992-93.