Florida Gators
Georgia
Noah?s Record Setting Night Lifts No. 17/14 Gators to 77-66 Win Over Georgia
Thursday, March 2, 2006 | Men's Basketball
In men's basketball action, sophomore Joakim Noah (New York, N.Y.) led all scorers with a career-high 37 points, and set the new Florida record for made free throws as No. 17/14 Florida overcame the Georgia Bulldogs Wednesday night in their last game of the season at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. The win pushed the Orange and Blue to a 23-6 mark on the year and 9-6 in the Southeastern Conference, as the team matched the school record for home wins in a season with 16.
Noah's 19 points from the charity stripe against Georgia broke Neal Walk's mark of 18, set Feb. 5, 1968. His 37 point performance for the game ties for seventh on the all-time list of game-high point totals, as he scored in double figures for the eighth-straight game, and has done so in 13 of UF's last 14 contests. Noah also pulled down 11 boards, nine of which came off the defensive glass, to post his third double-double of the year.
Sophomore Corey Brewer (Portland, Tenn.) recorded 13 points for the Gators, and also chipped in five rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Taurean Green (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) and junior Lee Humphrey (Maryville, Tenn.) each contributed eight points, as Green also dished seven assists and blocked one shot.
Sophomore Al Horford (Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic) pitched in seven points for the Orange and Blue, as well as four rebounds and one block. Senior Adrian Moss (Houston, Texas) made his first start of the season against Georgia after being honored before the game, the last of his five-year career at the O'Connell Center. Moss pulled down six rebounds and scored two points.
In the first half the Gators took an 8-4 lead by the 15:57 mark, before two unanswered Bulldog baskets tied it up. The two teams traded shots, as the lead changed seven times, until Florida broke away with a 10-0 run that ended with 4:08 remaining in the half to make the score 28-19. The Orange and Blue led by as many as 12 in the first half, and took a 36-28 advantage into the locker room at the break. Noah scored 18 of his points in the first, including 12 from the free throw line. Florida overcame nine first-half turn-overs, six of which a result of Georgia steals, and was able to outrebound the Black and Red 23-16 in the first 20 minutes.
During the second half the Gators never let the lead change again, although the Bulldogs battled and mounted comebacks throughout. An unanswered four points during minute 14 brought UGA within five points, but Florida countered with a 9-0 run of its own to put the game back out of reach. With 3:15 to play Georgia fought back harder, bringing it within four points, but UF stayed in control and went on to win 77-66 and move within one game of tying the mark for most regular-season wins, which stands at 24.
The Gators outscored Georgia in the paint 34-26 and out rebounded 42-29. Noah posted more points than Georgia's two leading scorers combined, as Mike Mercer recorded 16 and Younes Idrissi contributed 12 for the Red and Black.
Next up, the Gators face Kentucky on the road in Rupp Arena, Sunday, March 5. Tip-off is set for noon in the CBS-broadcast contest.
-UF-
