Florida Gators
Arkansas
Gators Roll Past Razorbacks, 75-43
Sunday, January 23, 2011 | Men's Basketball
The Gators allowed the Razorbacks to get the first bucket, then went on a tear and never looked back, as Florida steamrolled Arkansas, 75-43, Saturday evening at the O'Connell Center.
Sophomore Kenny Boynton (Pompano Beach, Fla.) scored 20 points, while seniors Vernon Macklin (Portsmouth, Va.) and Alex Tyus (St. Louis, Mo.) each contributed 13 points. Fellow senior Chandler Parsons (Casselberry, Fla.) owned the boards, contributing a career-high 15 rebounds. This was Florida's seventh win in eight games.
The Gators dominated from the opening tip, as Macklin scored the team's first eight points while also going 5-for-5 on his first five shots in the paint. Tyus continued Macklin's streak, going 4-for-4 on his first four attempts, including six straight points with a jumper, Florida's first dunk and a 15-foot jumper.
The Gators hit 11 of their first 16 attempts, 10 of which were in the paint. Florida made smart decisions around the hoop and cleaned up their first half play, only committing two turnovers in the first half after nine in the first 20 minutes against Auburn.
The Gators' defense was even more impressive, as the Orange and Blue held their second-straight opponent to fewer than 50 points. The Razorbacks shot 30 percent from the field, missing their first 10 shots from 3-point range and struggling in the paint.
Florida held Arkansas' Rotnei Clarke, one of the best shooters in the league, to 0-for-3, including 0-for-1 behind the arch. Before tonight, Clarke was third in the SEC in 3-point field goals made.
Delvon Johnson led Arkansas with 12 points, while Marshawn Powell added 10.
The Gators hit the road to face SEC foe Georgia in Athens on Tuesday night. Opening tip is at 7:00pm and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.
