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Gators have enough for a farewell gift

FLORIDA 68, TENNESSEE 62: Udonis Haslem's dunk clinches the close win in his final home game.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 27, 2002

GAINESVILLE -- The best 13-14 team in America came into Gainesville on Tuesday night and nearly spoiled the party for Udonis Haslem and the Florida basketball team.

Almost.

Playing in his final home game, Haslem powered down a slam dunk with 19.5 seconds left that gave the Gators an eight-point lead and helped seal a 68-62 win over Tennessee in front of a national television audience and 12,062 at theO'Connell Center. The attendance helped set a school single-season record and sent Haslem, the only senior on the team, out in style.

Florida (21-6, 10-5 SEC) took a one-half game lead over Georgia and Kentucky in the East Division race. The Gators play their final regular-season game Saturday against Kentucky at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

It wasn't the best night of his season; Haslem scored 11. But it was an historic one nonetheless.

Haslem leaves as the all-time Florida leader with 96 victories. He also earned two conference titles and an NCAA runner-up finish. He is the only player in school history to play on four straight 20-win teams and the only one to play in four NCAA Tournaments.

Florida finished 12-3 at home and has won 10 of 11 at home against Tennessee.

The Gators were bolstered by four 3-pointers in the final eight minutes.

Florida forward Matt Bonner led all scorers with 18 points and Brett Nelson added 12, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range.

With the score tied at 58 with 4:50 left, Florida outscored Tennessee 10-4, including two crucial 3-pointers by Nelson.

Florida shot 41 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range.

Florida led 33-29 at halftime after allowing Tennessee to climb back from a nine-point deficit late in the half.

After Haslem's slam gave the Gators a 35-29 lead, Tennessee outscored the Gators 7-0 to take a 36-35 lead.

The teams exchanged baskets for much of the rest of the game, with Florida earning its biggest lead at six points with 13:30 left.

With Florida leading 51-47, a crucial mistake allowed the Vols to tie it in 18 seconds.

After a Gators turnover, Bonner fouled Tennessee forward Vincent Yarbrough from behind as he went up for the fastbreak layup. Bonner was called for an intentional foul, which gave the Vols two free throws and possession.

Yarbrough hit both, and Brandon Crump's tip-in off a missed shot tied the score at 51 with 9:06 left.

Florida opened the game shooting 3-of-10 from the field in the first six minutes and 1-of-4 from 3-point range, stretching the slump to 3-for-16 before things improved.

Tennessee didn't fare much better, shooting 28.6 percent from the field and hitting no 3-pointers.

Trailing 8-6, Tennessee made an early run. The Vols outscored Florida 9-0 midway through the first half to take a 15-8 lead.

It was short-lived.

Haslem's dunk with 11:26 left in the half rejuvenated the crowd and started the Gators on a 16-0 run for a 24-15 lead. The Gators shot 6-of-9 from the field during that span, including four 3-pointers.

But Tennessee wouldn't back down.

Jon Higgins' 3-pointers with 5:47 left in the half pulled the Vols within 24-18 and ended a six-minute scoring drought.

Despite their halftime lead, the Gators shot 13-of-35 (37.1 percent) from the field in the half but were 50 percent from 3-point range (6-for-12). The Vols shot 39.3 percent from the field and made 2 of 10 3-pointers.

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