Florida Gators
Alabama
Free throws help Gators hold off Bama 69-61
Saturday, March 10, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Nelson scored a big basket with less than two minutes to play after the Crimson Tide cut the Gator lead to 62-59. He was 4 of 4 from the free throw line in the final minute to salt the game away. Nelson finished the game with 19 points.
Bonner had a big first half, scoring 19 of his 22 points and hitting four 3's to help build a 41-33 halftime lead. He also hauled in 11 rebounds. Bonner said the Gators were indeed concerned when Alabama cut the Gator lead to three points or less three times in the second half.
"Everytime it got down to three or four points, we suddenly got alot tougher and got the lead back to a safe distance," said Bonner.
Gator coach Billy Donovan said holding Alabama's Rod Grizzard to just 10 points - 5 in the second half - was a key factor in the outcome. "We made a huge emphasis on not fouling and forcing him to make plays out of our traps," said Donovan. "I thought this was probably the best job we've done on Grizzard this year. He had 21 points at our place and we did a pretty good job on him this evening."
Udonis Haslem, who scored 28 points against Alabama two weeks ago, finished with 12 points. Teddy Dupay had 8.
The Gators have now won eight in a row and improved to 23-5, 13-4 in the SEC. They'll play 14th ranked Ole Miss, 86-73 winners over Tennessee, Saturday March 10th at 1:00 p.m. eastern time. The Gators beat the Rebels 75-55 on February 21st.
