Macklin, Parsons each score 20 as Florida beat Mississippi State 69-62 in SEC play

Macklin, Parsons lead Florida past MSU 69-62

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Vernon Macklin and Chandler Parsons each scored 20 points to lead Florida to a 69-62 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday.

Florida (17-6, 6-3 Southeastern Conference) snapped a two-game losing streak in the series. The Gators’ last victory over the Bulldogs came Jan. 24, 2007.

Mississippi State (16-7, 4-4) has lost four of its last five games.

Ravern Johnson finished with 20 points and Jarvis Varnado added 16 points and 13 rebounds for Mississippi State.

Florida had a 12-point lead with 2:38 to play, but struggled to close out the game.

The Bulldogs scored seven unanswered points to cut the lead to 61-56. Johnson and Barry Stewart each hit 3-pointers in the final minute, cutting Florida’s lead to 66-62 with 22.4 seconds to play.

Parsons and Erving Walker combined to hit three free throws to close out the final seconds.