Florida Gators
Albany
M. Hoops Punches Ticket To Madison Square Garden
Friday, November 11, 2005 | Men's Basketball
The Florida men's basketball team claimed an 83-64 victory over Albany Thursday night in the championship game of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic Regional Tournament at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Sophomore Corey Brewer (Portland, Tenn.) was named the Regional MVP after an 18-point, seven- rebound performance. Brewer totaled 36 points in UF's two games, matching his career-best of 18 points both nights.
With the win, Billy Donovan's squad moved to 2-0 on the season and now advances to the semifinal round of the tournament, to be held at Madison Square Garden in New York, Nov. 17-18. In the consolation final of the Gainesville Regional, Oakland (Mich.) overcame a halftime deficit to down St. Peter's, 72-69.
Sophomore forward Joakim Noah (New York, N.Y.) chipped in with career-high 17 points for the Orange and Blue, as well as seven rebounds and a personal-best three assists, while junior guard Lee Humphrey (Maryville, Tenn.) matched his career high in scoring with 15 points on 5-of-7 from three-point range. Junior forward Chris Richard (Lakeland, Fla.) notched a career-high 14 points against the Great Danes and blocked one shot.
Sophomore center Al Horford (Puerto Plata, D.R.) dished a game and career-high seven assists, and contributed nine points and one block. Sophomore guard Taurean Green (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) recorded seven points, four assists and three rebounds for the Gators, while freshman guard Walter Hodge (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) finished the game with three points, two steals and two assists.
Florida jumped out to a quick lead in the first half, making a 7-0 run to start the game, but Albany answered and tied it up at 28-all with 8:56 remaining. The teams battled for the lead until a late 7-1 Florida run, which was capped by a long-distance shot at the buzzer from behind the arc by Brewer. With the trey, the Gators raced off the court into the locker room with a 45-39 advantage and shifted the momentum back into their favor.
The Gators dished out assists on each of their first four baskets and notched assists on 10 of their 16 baskets over the first 20 minutes. UF finished the night with 23 assists, adding 13 more in the second frame.
Florida seized control in the second half, never allowing the Great Danes another lead in the game. Second-half scoring runs of 12-3 and 16-6 carried the Orange and Blue to an 83-64 victory behind 58.8 percent shooting from the field. Jamar Wilson led Albany with a game-high 21-point effort. Florida limited the Danes to 48.9 percent shooting from the field, including 40.9 percent in the first half.
UF returns to the court Nov. 17-18 when it travels to New York, N.Y., for the semifinal round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic.
-UF-
