Florida uses quick start to second half to hold off late Arkansas rally

Jay_Lupo · 01-08-2005, 03:38 PM

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The Florida Gators used a blistering start to the second half and held off a furious Arkansas rally at the end of the game to hold on and pick up its first conference win of the season 82-74 in Gainsville on Saturday.

The Gators (9-3;1-0) were without leading scorer Matt Walsh—out four to six weeks with torn ligaments in his leg—but managed to get production from other players. David Lee scored 17 points on 6-7 shooting and added eight rebounds and five assists to lead the Gators past the Razorbacks (13-2;1-1). All five of Florida’s starters scored in double-figures. The Gators other star, Anthony Roberson, added 15 points including 8-8 from the free-throw line.

After a defensive-oriented first half on both sides, Florida led 31-26 after the first 20 minutes. The Gators opened the second half by hitting 10 of their first 13 shots—including three three-pointers—and stretched their lead to as many as 17 points. Florida led 57-40 with just over 10 minutes left in the game.

Florida managed to keep a double-digit lead over Arkansas throughout the second half, even leading by 10 with three minutes left in the game. That's when the Razorbacks began to rally.

After an Olu Famutimi three-pointer, the lead was cut to eight with a minute to play. Gator guard Chris Humphrey—an 80-percent free-throw shooter—was fouled and missed both free-throws and Arkansas had the chance to cut the lead to six with 45 seconds to play, but guard Dontrell Jefferson was fouled and missed both shots. Humphrey was fouled again but made the Razorbacks pay this time by sinking both shots to stretch the lead back to 10.

Arkansas continued to chip away, but it was too little too late, and the Gators managed to pull out the eight-point win in their first SEC contest.

Ronnie Brewer scored 20 points, Eric Ferguson added 16 and Famutimi chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds to lead the Razorbacks.

Florida goes on the road next to face Auburn and Arkansas plays Alabama at home Tuesday night on ESPN.