Florida collapses in regional final loss to Butler

NEW ORELANS (AP) - Florida had a double-digit lead in the second half, was dominating in the low post and slowly suffocating Butler's second-straight Final Four run.

How it all went wrong will haunt the Gators for a long, long time.

Shelvin Mack scored 27 points, Matt Howard added 14 and Butler came from behind to beat Florida 74-71 in overtime, denying the Gators a third trip to the Final Four in six seasons.

Florida's Vernon Macklin scored a career high 25 points. The Gators seemed unstoppable in the paint until late in the game when questionable shot selection by guards Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker contributed to the team's demise.

Walker had an especially tough game, making just 1 of 10 shots from the field.