Gainesville, FL (Best E Casino) - Nick Calathes led the way with 16 points and seven assists as 23rd-ranked Florida topped Florida A&M, 73-58, at the O'Connell Center. Chandler Parsons added 15 points for the Gators (6-1), who have won three in a row and hit the road against Florida State on Sunday. Alex Tyus had 15 points and Erving Walker contributed 13 points in the win. Lamar Twitty led all scorers with 20 points for the Rattlers (1-6), who have lost two in a row and host conference rival Bethune-Cookman on Saturday. Brandon Bryant was the only other player in double figures with 16 points. Twitty hit two from the line to bring FAMU within 9-8 early in the contest, but Florida rolled from there. A 16-2 run kicked off by a Calathes three- pointer and ending on a Tyus dunk provided a 15-point cushion midway through the half. The lead grew to as much as 17 points, 37-20, on a Tyus layup with 1:38 remaining before a Yannick Crowder jumper made it a 15-point game at the break. Allan Chaney's deuce almost 7 1/2 minutes into the second half boosted the Gators once more to a 15-point advantage, part of a 15-5 run which eventually saw Florida go up 56-39 just prior to the midway point. A Bryant three and Larry Jackson's free throw brought the Rattlers back within 10 at 58-48 with 7:09 remaining, but the home team pulled away once again late. Game Notes Florida has won all 10 meetings...Florida A&M actually outshot Florida from the field, with the Rattlers connecting on 44.2 percent (19-of-43) and the Gators connecting at only 42.9 percent (24-of-56)...Florida committed only six turnovers. |
