Freshman Matt Walsh scored 29 points, shooting a perfect 7-of-7 from behind the three point arc and fellow freshman Anthony Roberson scored 22 to lead the University of Florida men's basketball team to a 99-64 win over Bethune-Cookman Saturday afternoon at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
"Coming into this game I was concerned, but I thought we came out with great energy," head coach Billy Donovan said. "I thought our front court came out a lot better, we shot the ball better from the three point line, we pressed a little bit better and I think we got better with our half court defense."
Walsh finished the game shooting 10-for-12 from the field, including a 17 point (6-for-8) first half performance. His perfect mark from three point range set the O'Connell Center record for three-point percentage previously held by Greg Stolt who hit .857 (6-for-7) against South Florida Dec. 10, 1996. Roberson shot 8-for-14 from the field, including two three point baskets.
"For those guys (Walsh and Roberson) to score that amount of points in such a short time, I think both guys are playing with a lot of confidence and with a lot of freedom," Donovan said. "When I see those guys with those types of shooting percentages it indicates to me that they are taking good shots."
Early in the first half, the Gators went on a 12-0 run to make the score 18-6 at the 14:40 mark, with Walsh scoring eight of the Florida's 12 points. Senior guard Justin Hamilton scored all of his 11 points during the first half, shooting 5-for-6 from the field.
To begin the second half, Walsh then made three consecutive three-point baskets to give the Gators a 67-37 lead over Bethune-Cookman. Florida went on to score 46 points off of 26 Wildcat turnovers for the game.
"I was just getting good shots and it just happened that they were three in a row," Walsh said. "If I don't think I'm going to make a shot, I won't shoot it."
The win over Bethune-Cookman is the 35th consecutive game Florida has won over a non-conference opponent at home. The win also marks the 18th consecutive win against in-state rivals.
Florida is back in action Monday, Dec. 30 as they host Florida A&M at 7 p.m. at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
