Florida used runs of 23-0, 14-0 and 12-0 in the first half and cruised to a 107-55 win over Belmont in their non-conference finale Sunday afternoon. Brett Nelson led five Gator players in double figures with 19 points.
Nelson made all three of his three-point baskets in the first half as the Gators built a 63-20 halftime advantage. The Gators made 10 shots from beyond the arc and 17-of-18 free throws, equaling the second-best free throw percentage since Billy Donovan became head coach at Florida.
Gator coach Billy Donovan couldn't have been happier about the way his team opened the game.
"It was the best first half we've played," Donovan said. "We had 14 assists, three turnovers, and we forced 14 turnovers. We were unselfish, we were very good on offense, we were very good on defense. I've got to give our guys credit."
The Gators (11-1)held Belmont to just 35 percent shooting and forced the Bruins into 22 turnovers while shooting 56 percent and turning the ball over just 13 times. The Gators have forced 20 or more turnovers in 10 straight games.
Udonis Haslem scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Matt Bonner scored 16 points, LaDarius Halton had a season-high 13 points, and David Lee's 12 points rounded out the double figure scoring for Florida.
The Gators have won 10 in a row to tie a school record. The Gators open Southeastern Conference play against South Carolina next Saturday.
"We realize that right now the SEC is ranked the best conference in the country," Donovan said. "Night in and night out you're going to go up against a good opponent. Dave Odom (South Carolina head coach) has had great success at Wake Forest. There's no doubt in my mind that he'll do a successful job at South Carolina. We'll go up against a team, here at home, that will be very challenging for us."
The Florida-South Carolina matchup will tip off Saturday, Jan. 5 at 12 p.m. ET in the O'Connell Center.
