Florida Gators
North Carolina Central University
Men's Basketball Defeats North Carolina Central, 105-51
Thursday, November 15, 2007 | Men's Basketball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Freshman Chandler Parsons (Winter Park, Fla.) turned in a balanced, all-around performance with 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Florida downed North Carolina Central, 105-51, Wednesday to continue Blue Ribbon Challenge play. Sophomore center Marreese Speights (St. Petersburg, Fla.) added 19 points and nine boards to highlight four Florida players in double figures.
Nick Calathes (Winter Park, Fla.) chipped in 16 points and eight assists for the two-time defending national champions, who extended their winning streak to 13 games and their school record for consecutive home wins to 22.
Speights hit nine of 10 attempts from the floor and Parsons connected on eight of his 10 shots, including four treys.
Florida took a double-digit lead early, led 57-25 at halftime and made it a 46-point advantage midway through the second half.
The Gators made nearly as many shots (41) as North Carolina Central took (48). Florida shot 56 percent from the floor, 36 percent from 3-point range and held a 48-22 rebounding advantage.
Bryan Ayala led the Eagles with 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting. Charles Futrell added 14 points before fouling out with 8:11 to play.
North Carolina Central shot 37 percent, was 2-of-11 from behind the arc and finished with 21 turnovers.
Florida was playing for the third time in six days - all part of the Blue Ribbon Challenge. The Gators complete the four-game tournament Saturday night at home against Rutgers at 7 p.m.
