Florida Gators
New Hampshire
Florida wins big over New Hampshire 108-56
Thursday, November 29, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Bonner, who led Concord High School to three state championships, made three of the Gators 16 three-pointers. Gator coach Billy Donovan had him in mind when he scheduled this game. Bonner had many friends and family among the record crowd of over 7,200 at Whittemore Center.
"It was great for him," said Gator coach Billy Donovan. "This is something that Matt Bonner will always remember his entire life."
Fellow junior Brett Nelson had his stroke going. Nelson made six three-pointers and scored 20 points, all in the first half.
"Brett Nelson opened things up with the way he shot the ball from behind the three-point line," said Donovan. "He obviously got hurt (cut lip) and never got back into the flow of the game."
Nelson needed three stitches after getting hurt late in the first half.
Freshman James White scored a career-high 13 points, including a slam dunk at the final buzzer, as seven Gators scored in double figures.
Justin Hamilton and David Lee scored 11 points apiece, while Udonis Haslem and LaDarius Halton each scored 10 points. Haslem also had 12 rebounds for the 16th double-double of his career.
The Gators trailed 15-12 in the first half before going on a 15-0 run to build a 27-15 lead. They led 53-28 at the half. An 11-0 run early in the second half helped the Gators go up 64-30.
"It was a great team effort," Donovan said. "We played unselfishly. Anytime you come off a loss (against the EA Sports All-Stars) you maybe question yourself a little bit. It was good for us to get back on the floor and get a win like we did."
The 52-point victory margin was the second largest on the road in Gator history. In the points-off-turnovers department, the Gators outscored the Wildcats 37-4.
Florida upped its record to 3-1. New Hampshire has yet to win in five games.
