Florida Gators
Tennessee
Sunday, February 1, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Anthony Roberson had 17 points and four assists, while Matt Walsh added 17 points and six rebounds, but Tennessee rallied in the final minutes to get past No. 22 Florida by a score of 65-63 Saturday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Tennessee (11-6 overall, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) took the lead for good with 1:33 remaining on a pair of free throws by Justin Albrecht at 62-61 and held on the rest of the way to avenge a 95-57 loss earlier in the season to Florida (13-5, 4-3).
Roberson had a chance to tie the game with 13.8 seconds remaining after being fouled by Albrecht on a three-point attempt, but Roberson missed the first and made the last two to bring the Gators within one at 64-63.
Roberson then picked up his fifth foul of the game before Tennessee's C.J. Watson sealed the game by making the first of two free throws for the final scoring margin.
Lee Humphrey then missed a desperation shot at the buzzer to close the game as Tennessee won for just the second time in eight meetings against the Gators since 2001.
Christian Drejer also finished in double figures for the Gators with 10 points, while adding four assists.
Florida lost its lead midway through the first half and watched Tennessee start the second half with an 8-1 run to go ahead 40-32.
The Gators missed their first five field-goal attempts after halftime before Drejer hit a three-pointer with 13:32 left. His basket started a 16-4 run and Roberson ended it with another trey to put Florida ahead 50-46 with 9:43 remaining.
The Gators couldn't extend the lead past four points, and Tennessee kept chipping away.
Florida returns to action to face Kentucky on Tuesday. The game is slated for a 9 p.m. tipoff and will be broadcast live on ESPN.
