Florida Gators
Ole Miss
M Hoops Reaches 20 Wins With Victory Over Ole Miss
Thursday, February 13, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Five players scored in double figures and the bench contributed 45 points as the University of Florida (20-3, 9-1 SEC) men's basketball team recorded their 20th win of the season, defeating Ole Miss (12-9, 3-7 SEC) 74-55 Wednesday night in front of 11,658 fans at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
"I think that the people that really stepped it up tonight was our bench," head coach Billy Donovan said. "Our young guys did a terrific job to be able to win like we did."
Junior forward Bonell Colas finished the game with 14 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line. Freshman Christian Drejer saw 20 minutes of action, finishing the game with a career high 11 points and five assists. He shot 3-of-3 from the field, including a perfect 2-of-2 from three point range.
"I thought Christian had a great game for himself," Donovan said. "I was very pleased with the way he played and I hope this game will bring out more confidence in him."
"It was a great feeling today," Drejer said following the game. "It is important to me to be out there and compete as well as contribute to the team."
Freshman guard Anthony Roberson led the Gators in scoring with 15. Senior forward Matt Bonner recorded his 19 career double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Freshman guard Anthony Roberson led the Gators in scoring with 15.
In the first half, Ole Miss went on a 10-0 run and were up by as much as eight points, but Roberson hit a three-pointer at the 12:11 mark to begin a 14-0 Gator run. Colas scored seven of his 14 points during the run. The Rebels then went 5:34 without a field goal, but went on a 6-2 run to tie the game at 24 with a layup by Derrick Allen with five minutes to go in the half. Drejer came off of the bench and scored the next four points on a made free throw and a three pointer as Florida went on an 8-3 run, going into the half with a 33-27 lead over Ole Miss.
Ole Miss came out in the second half scoring the first four points. Florida answered with a 20-0 run, marking the best of the season. The Rebels went over seven minutes without a bucket, with five different Gators scoring during that period. Wade Emmanuel broke the Ole Miss drought with a three point basket, but Florida shot 52.4 percent (11-of-21) from the field and scored 16 points off of Rebel turnovers during the final half.
Senior guard Justin Hamilton also added 10 points for the Gators, shooting 4-of-6 from the field.
Ole Miss guard David Sanders scored a team-high 15 points for the Rebels.
The win gives the Gators their fifth consecutive 20-win season. Tonight also marks the 17th consecutive home win for Florida, which is one away from the longest streak in school history when Florida won 18 games from Jan. 22, 1985 to Feb. 4, 1987.
Florida will travel to Knoxville, Tenn. to face Tennessee Saturday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.
