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Georgia
MBB Defeats Georgia, 70-47, for Donovan's 80th SEC Win
Wednesday, January 26, 2005 | Men's Basketball
Florida raced out to an 8-0 lead and never looked back in a 70-47 win over SEC rival Georgia on Tuesday night at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. The Gators (12-4, 4-1) built a 17-point cushion at the half and increased their margin to 27 points during the second half en route to head coach Billy Donovan's 80th victory in conference play. The Bulldogs' 47 point total was their lowest against Florida since Dec. 28, 1951. UF also held a commanding 44-21 edge on the boards over the Bulldogs (7-9, 1-5). Junior Anthony Roberson had a game-high 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, including four treys.
Florida came out strong and fast in the first half. The game opened with two three-pointers from the hands of the Gators as UF put together its first run of the game, leading the Bulldogs, 13-2, well into the half. Georgia did nothing to help itself in the first half, as the team connected on only seven of its 23 shot attempts in the half. UGA also recorded nine turnovers, which Florida converted into 11 points. The Bulldogs headed into the locker room with only 15 points on their side of the scoreboard, the lowest score the Gators held an SEC opponent to in Donovan's era.
After the break, the Gators again came out swinging as senior David Lee and freshman Al Horford began the second half with a dunk apiece. Florida controlled the game as it went on a 9-0 run mid-half, heading into a 24-point lead. UGA was able to double its previous half's point by knocking down 32 points to end the game at 47. The Gators ended the contest with 70 points, the first time this season UF marked a victory when scoring fewer than 80 points, and the first win this year when shooting under 45 percent (44.7).
Game leaders for the Orange and Blue include Horford, who ended the game with 10 points and seven rebounds. Six of Horford's 10 points were off free throws. Also from the charity stripe were junior Matt Walsh and sophomore Lee Humphrey. Both Gators were perfect from the line with Walsh hitting all five of his free throws and Humphrey knocking down 4-of-4. Both players also poured in nine points for the Gators.
Florida basketball will return to action on Jan. 29, as the team faces South Carolina at the O'Connell Center. Tip off is slated for 1 p.m. and the game will be carried by Jefferson Pilot.
