Colleges

Timely mishap sparks UF

GAINESVILLE - Sha Brooks hit two free throws after an intentional foul with 1.2 seconds left, and Florida rallied for a 75-73 victory over Arkansas on Sunday afternoon.

Jennifer Mossor tied her career high with 20 points to lead four players in double figures for the Gators (16-10, 5-6 SEC), who overcame a 10-point deficit in the first half and eight in the second.

"We're worn out, but it was a tremendous win for us for a lot of reasons," UF coach Amanda Butler said. "I was proud that we made some defensive plays that put us in the position that we were in to win the game at the end."

Arkansas' Brittney Vaughn tied the score with 30 seconds left with a flat-footed 3-pointer. Florida dumped the ball in the post to forward Marshae Dotson, whose errant shot was picked up by Vaughn. But Vaughn tripped while heading upcourt, and Brooks chased down the loose ball at midcourt and raced into the paint, where she was fouled from behind by Sarah Pfeifer before she could sink the layup.

"I was like, 'Yes!'" Brooks said. "I knew I had to pick up the ball and hit the layup as fast as I could."

Brooks scored 16, Depree Bowden 17 plus eight rebounds and Dotson 10. Vaughn had 18 points for the Razorbacks (17-8, 2-8).

The Gators had two 8-0 runs in the first half to help overcome a 10-point deficit. Florida got within 36-35 at halftime on Bowden's buzzer-beater.

The Gators, 6-2 this season in games decided by five points or fewer, committed a season-low 13 turnovers and scored 23 off Arkansas turnovers. Florida also outscored the Razorbacks 18-8 on the fastbreak.

NO. 3 UNC 97, FSU 77: Erlana Larkins had 18 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals to lead the host Tar Heels (24-2, 11-0 ACC), who went on a 13-0 run after the Seminoles' Jacinta Monroe scored the first basket and cruised.

With North Carolina leading 85-55 with 6:24 left, Larkins dived for a ball and wiped out a table and chairs on press row. She emerged unharmed and wearing a sheepish grin.

Tanae Davis-Cain led Florida State (15-10, 5-5) with 25 points.

Top 25

NO. 1 TENN. 81, NO. 25 VANDY 68: Candace Parker had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and the visiting Vols bounced back from an ugly home loss to LSU to win their 15th straight in this instate series.

NO. 2 UCONN 90, NO. 18 PITT 64: Renee Montgomery scored 17 for the visiting Huskies, who finished the first half on an 18-2 run to turn a 27-25 deficit into a 43-29 lead.

NO. 4 MARYLAND 76, NO. 12 DUKE 69: Crystal Langhorne had 25 points and 12 rebounds to help the Terrapins win hours after coach Brenda Frese gave birth to twin boys. Maryland swept the regular-season series for the first time in 15 years and won at Cameron Indoor Stadium for the first time since 2000.

NO. 7 LSU 78, OLE MISS 48: Sylvia Fowles scored 19 of her 22 in the first half for the host Tigers, who built a 19-8 lead within seven minutes and cruised.

NO. 8 BAYLOR 79, NO. 10 OKLA. 59: Angela Tisdale had 23 points for the Bears, who went ahead to stay within the first seven minutes and won their 16th straight at home.

NO. 13 ODU 73, TOWSON 61: Megan Pym had 15 points and 12 rebounds to help the visiting Monarchs win their 16th straight and 11th in a row over the Tigers.

IOWA ST. 62, NO. 15 OKLA. ST. 57: Alison Lacey scored 15 and Heather Ezell 12, including the go-ahead free throws with 41.1 seconds left, as the visiting Cyclones withstood a second-half rally.

NO. 17 K-STATE 56, MISSOURI 39: Ashley Sweat and Kimberly Dietz scored 15 each, and the visiting Wildcats held their Big 12 lead four days after claiming it.

NO. 20 TEXAS A&M 70, TEXAS TECH 56: Takia Starks had a career-high 29 points, and the host Aggies took advantage of 24 turnovers by the Red Raiders to win their fifth in six games.

[Last modified February 17, 2008, 21:50:12]