Tampa subregional

Gators don't let up

FLORIDA 85, SHSU 55: David Lee leads way as hot-shooting Gators stop three-game losing streak.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 22, 2003

[Times photo: Toni Sandys] Florida forward Matt Bonner hangs on as he fights for a rebound with Sam Houston State's Jay Oliphant.

Entering the NCAA Tournament surrounded by questions about its tenacity and ability to bounce back from a "slump," the Florida basketball team had outsiders wondering if the Gators were headed for another first-round exit like last season.

Not this time.

Behind a career night from sophomore center David Lee, the Gators avoided a first-round upset and ran away with an 85-55 win over Sam Houston State in front of 20,224 Friday night at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Florida (25-7) plays Michigan State, a 79-64 winner over Colorado, on Sunday in the second round at about 7:30. The game will be a rematch of the 2000 national championship game.

It was the most lopsided win for the Gators in 25 tournament appearances, topping the 85-66 win over Purdue in 1987. It was the first NCAA Tournament appearance for the Bearkats and their worst loss in five seasons.

"It's disappointing, but give Florida credit," SHSU coach Bob Marlin said. "They're a great team. They've lost three in a row, but they came out tonight and made a statement."

The Gators (25-7) led 38-24 at halftime after allowing the Bearkats to rally from 14 down to pull within six late in the half. Florida outscored Sam Houston State 9-1 in the final two minutes, then opened the second half with a 14-2 run and never looked back.

"In the second half, our guys came out with great energy and great intensity, and that really carried over," Florida coach Billy Donovan said.

The Gators shot 7-of-12 from the field in the first eight minutes and led 23-9 with 11:50 left in the half, bolstered by Lee's big-time performance. He scored 15 of his 23 in a 16-minute span of the first half.

But the Bearkats (23-7) weren't ready to give up -- 15th seed or not. Trailing by 14, Sam Houston State went on a 10-2 run to pull within 25-19 with 7:42 left in the half.

During a 4:39 span, the Gators went cold, making 2 of 7 from the field. When Lee scored on a reverse dunk with 5:35 left in the half, it gave Florida a 27-19 lead and its first basket since the 10:31 mark.

"There were times out there tonight where we relied too much on our 3-point shooting," said senior guard Justin Hamilton, who scored 11 and had four assists. "We're a good 3-point shooting team, but we have to realize if we can get the ball in to Matt (Bonner), David and those guys, that's a big part of our success."

The Gators, who struggled in the SEC Tournament when Lee got into foul trouble, outscored Sam Houston State 32-20 in the paint (18-8 in first half). They also scored 22 off 16 turnovers, which Donovan contributed to the press. The Bearkats were 3-of-11 on layups and shots under the basket in the first half.

Florida's freshman duo of Matt Walsh and Anthony Roberson struggled early. The two combined to make 2 of 6 from the field and score seven in the first half.

Roberson rebounded in the second half; he was 5-of-7 from 3-point range and finished with 16 points. Walsh, who averages 12.7 per game, scored six but had three assists and six rebounds.

The Gators also got help from its bench, led by senior guard Brett Nelson, who contributed nine in the first half. Florida's bench scored 22, and the Gators had 24 assists.

Against a defense that is fifth in the nation in field-goal percentage allowed, the Gators shot 52.5 percent from the field, while holding Sam Houston State to 33.3 percent.

Donald Cole, the Southland Conference player of the year, led all Bearkats scorers with 15, and Eddy Fobbs added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

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