Florida Gators
Auburn
Sunday, January 25, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Sophomore guard Anthony Roberson scored a game-high 21 points while Adrian Moss and David Lee both scored in double digits as No. 17 Florida (12-4, 3-2) defeated Auburn (11-6, 2-4) , 68-52, Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd on 11,988 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. It was Florida's fifth straight regular season win in the series.
"I was happy with our effort and we made some strides in the right direction," said head coach Billy Donovan. "I thought our press improved but we got a little tired in the second half so we had to go to zone. We tried to do some things to alleviate pressure on our big guys. They needed to find a way to score to take some pressure off of our guards. In the second half they started to hit some baskets and I thought that is how we were able to extend our lead."
Florida took the lead early in the game with an 8-0 run that was sparked by a Roberson three pointer. The Gators were able to extend the lead to 12 before the Tigers began trading baskets mid-way through the first half. Florida forced 16 Tiger turnovers in the in the first half alone and capitalized by scoring 17 points.
Roberson was 4-of-4 from beyond the arc and scored 16 points (6-of-7) in the first half leading Florida to a 30-22 lead at intermission.
Auburn started the first half strong and were able to cut the lead to two multiple times, but the Gators responded mid-way through the half by holding the Tigers scoreless for 5:56. During that time, Florida went on an 11-0 run, extending the lead to 13. From that point, the lead was never in doubt led by as many as 20 points.
Roberson finished the game 8-of-12 from the field and Matt Walsh led the team with eight rebounds. Florida shot .500 from three-point range including a perfect 3-of-3 from Lee Humphrey. Auburn ended the night with only 20 field goals, setting a season-high 22 turnovers that led to 28 points.
"Our players were hitting from the outside, hitting some open three, open shots," said Roberson. "I think we felt good about ourselves. We played some good defense and they missed a couple of open three pointers. I think our defense kept us in the game today."
Auburn got 17 points from Marco Killingsworth as he notched a double-double by adding 11 rebounds.
Florida travels to Alabama Tuesday, January 27 to take on the Crimson Tide. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m.
