Casey Prather scored 16 points, Patric Young added 12 and No. 4 Florida beat Mississippi State 62-51 Thursday night for its 12th straight win.
The Gators (18-2, 7-0 Southeastern Conference) had a slow start on offense, but made up for it with suffocating defense. It was the 12th time this season Florida held an opponent to 60 points or fewer.
Mississippi State (13-7, 3-4) lost for the first time at home during conference play. The Bulldogs have lost four straight to the Gators. Colin Borchert scored 15 and Craig Sword 12 for Mississippi State.