Instant Analysis: Florida 79, Jacksonville 34
Sunday, December 14, 2014 | Men's Basketball, Scott Carter
AT THE BUZZER
FLORIDA 79, JACKSONVILLE 34
WHAT HAPPENED: The Gators turned a (relatively) close game into a blowout after halftime by jumping on the Dolphins with a 22-4 run out of the gate in the second half. Florida's 34-24 halftime lead mushroomed into a 56-28 advantage that sent Jacksonville spiraling.
WHAT IT MEANS: The Gators moved two games above .500 (6-4) for the first time all season and have won three consecutive games since their road loss at Kansas on Dec. 5. More importantly, the Gators have built some positive momentum after the difficult loss at Kansas and have all week to prepare for their next game against Wake Forest on Saturday.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: MIchael Frazier opened the game with a 3-pointer and Dorian Finney-Smith quickly followed as UF built a quick 12-4 lead thanks to four 3-pointers. The two upperclassmen didn't let up as Finney-Smith scored a career-high 25 points and Frazier added 22.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: The Gators dominated in the second half, outscoring Jacksonville 45-10 after halftime.
UP NEXT: Upon completion of exam week, Florida (6-4) heads south to face Wake Forest (4-5) in the Gators' annual trek to the Orange Bowl Classic at Sunrise, Fla. The Demon Deacons were on a three-game losing streak -- to Delaware State, Minnesota and North Carolina State -- heading into their Sunday night home against Sanford. UF is expected to get word later this week that 6-8 junior forward Alex Murphy, who transferred from Duke last December, is eligible upon completion and posting of his fall semester academics.
