Florida Gators
Charlotte
UF Men a 73-52 Winner at the Orange Bowl Classic
Sunday, December 16, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Haslem and Matt Bonner scored 10 points apiece as the Gators (7-1) opened up a 40-23 lead at the half. The Gators increased that lead to 58-38 at the eight-minute mark of the second half, but the 49ers went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to 12 points with 7:25 to play. Haslem stopped that run with a turnaround jumper. He then put the Gators back up by 20, 70-50, with a pair of free throws with 2:20 to go. Those foul shots moved Haslem's career point total to 1,400.
"I'm really, really proud of the way our basketball team played," Gator coach Billy Donovan said. "To come down here into this atmosphere, in Miami, where a lot of our fans don't get a chance to see us play very much, to have a great turnout, was very good."
Bonner was the only other Gator to score in double figures. He had 14 points and six rebounds. James White had eight points and five rebounds while Justin Hamilton had eight points and four steals. Orien Greene had five points and a game-high five steals. But All-SEC guard Brett Nelson was held to just four points and 1-of-6 shooting. Donovan praised Nelson for his unselfish play.
"Brett did not focus on his shooting," said Donovan. "We're winning by 20, 21 points against some pretty good basketball teams without him really playing very well. He made some deposits toward our team today. He did other things that I was happy with."
Donovan also was pleased with his team's defensive effort. The Gators held Charlotte to just 27 percent shooting. The 49ers had only three assists while turning the ball over 23 times. The Gators were guilty of just 13 turnovers.
Jobey Thomas scored 16 points to lead the 49ers.
The Gators return home to take on High Point, Tuesday, Dec. 18 in the O'Connell Center. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
