Re: [gatortalk] FW: [gatornews] [SUN]: Gators shoot lights out against Arkansas-Little Rock

We were there last night and it was a very noisy charged up crowd. Great time!!. Guess we're going to get very used to the place as we have tickets to 8 more games. We also bought season tickets to Gymnastics and a mini season plan for baseball. Great to be living here.
Charlie

Suite 220

Hendersonville TN 37075

Phone: 615-826-4040

Mobile: 615-972-4239

barryo@realtracs.com

 

From: gatornews@googlegroups.com [mailto:gatornews@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Shane Ford
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2016 11:02 AM
To: GatorNews
Subject: [gatornews] [SUN]: Gators shoot lights out against Arkansas-Little Rock

 

Gators shoot lights out against Arkansas-Little Rock

Florida forward Kevarrius Hayes dunks during the first half of the Gators' game against Little Rock on Wednesday at Exactech Arena.

Rob C. Witzel/Staff photographer

By Kevin Brockway
Gainesville SUN Staff writer

Published: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 9:05 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at 9:05 p.m.

Florida couldn't have put on a much better show in its grand re-opening of Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Buoyed by crisp passing and a season-high 16 3-pointers, the Gators made a strong opening statement in the renovated building, beating Arkansas-Little Rock 94-71 before an announced crowd of 10,655 on Wednesday night.

Florida (9-3) shot 59.6 percent from the floor and 51.6 percent (16-31) from 3-point range. Five different Florida scorers reached double figures, led by junior forward Devin Robinson's career-high 21 points. Senior point guard Kasey Hill posted UF's first double-double of the season with 11 points and a career-high 11 assists.

As a team, Florida finished with a season-high 20 assists and posted an assist-to-turnover ratio of 20 to 13. Sophomore guard KeVaughn Allen added 19 points, scoring 13 straight points during an early first-half stretch. Sophomore center Kevarrius Hayes, starting in place of injured John Egbunu, chipped in with 12 points and senior forward Canyon Barry had 15 points off the bench.

"Probably as confident a 40 minutes offensively as we've played," Florida coach Mike White said.

Florida played for the first time at home since a March 1 loss last season against Kentucky. The Gators played their first 11 games off campus this season and had a 17-game, 295-day stretch away from Gainesville overall while the O'Dome's $64.5 million makeover was being completed.

From the opening tip, Florida fed off the energy of the arena's re-opening. Hayes scored the first basket in the new arena, a wide open dunk on a pretty feed from Robinson. Allen then heated up, making three straight 3-pointers to help the Gators build a 18-7 lead.

"Our guys played with tremendous energy and confidence," White said.

Florida didn't let up. The Gators scored a season-high 56 points in the first half, building a 56-27 halftime lead. Florida shot 68.8 percent (22-32) from the floor in the first half and 56.3 percent (9-16) from 3-point range.

Allen scored 16 points in the first half and finished the game shooting 7 of 10 from the floor and 5 of 7 from 3-point range.

"When I first got here it felt a little weird getting adjusted to the rims, but I feel like I got adjusted pretty quick," Allen said.

Allen's ability to make shots early helped open up the rest of UF's offense.

"Our guys settle in when shots are made, especially when arguably your best scorer makes shots," White said. "I think it's just natural for teams."

While Allen was bombing long-range shots, Robinson was able to score from both the perimeter (4 of 5 from 3-point range), on putback dunks and from the free-throw line (3-4). The 6-foot-8 Robinson added seven rebounds and said he's playing more free and easy compared to his sophomore season.

"We came out, did our job, had fun, played the game," Robinson said. "Our fans got to see us play who hadn't seen us play in a while because we've been on the road so much, It was a great night overall."

After building a 35-point lead in the second half, Florida had some defensive lapses in the closing minutes, allowing 44 second-half points. Center Lis Shoshi led UARL (9-4) with 19 points.

But certainly, the game served as another confidence boost before Florida opens SEC play on Dec. 29 at Arkansas.

"I feel like we're getting there," Hayes said. "Clearly we have some things to work on but with all of the time that we've had to get better and with the SEC games ahead of us, I feel like we're going to be great."

FREE THROWS: A pair of 2017 recruits — 6-4 point guard Michael Okauru and 6-6 swingman Yves Pons — were among fans in attendance. Both are visiting UF's campus this week … Egbunu sat out his second straight game with a hamstring strain.

— Contact Kevin Brockway at 352-374-5054 or kevin.brockway@gvillesun.com. Also check out Brockway's blog at Gatorsports.com.

FLORIDA 94, UALR 71

UALR (9-4)

M.Hill 3-6 0-0 7, Shoshi 9-12 0-0 19, Johnson 1-4 2-4 4, Osse 0-5 0-0 0, Jackson 2-5 3-3 7, Black 4-7 3-4 11, Pippins 0-1 0-0 0, Jones 6-11 0-0 14, Burns 4-6 0-0 9, Marcus 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 29-58 8-11 71.<

FLORIDA (9-3)

Robinson 7-11 3-4 21, Leon 0-4 0-0 0, Hayes 5-5 2-3 12, Allen 7-10 0-0 19, K.Hill 5-7 0-1 11, Stone 2-2 0-0 5, Gak 1-1 0-0 2, Rimmer 1-1 1-1 3, Barry 4-11 4-4 15, Chiozza 1-4 0-0 3, Hester 1-1 0-0 3. Totals 34-57 10-13 94.

Halftime_Florida 56-27. 3-Point Goals_UALR 5-16 (Jones 2-5, M.Hill 1-1, Burns 1-1, Shoshi 1-2, Pippins 0-1, Jackson 0-1, Johnson 0-1, Osse 0-4), Florida 16-31 (Allen 5-7, Robinson 4-5, Barry 3-7, Stone 1-1, Hester 1-1, K.Hill 1-3, Chiozza 1-4, Leon 0-3). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_UALR 19 (Jackson, Shoshi 4), Florida 30 (Hayes 8). Assists_UALR 11 (Shoshi 3), Florida 20 (K.Hill 11). Total Fouls_UALR 16, Florida 13.

Sent From Shane's iPhone

Go Gators!   &   Skål Vikes!

ALPCA #8756 

Europlate #1045

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GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY!
1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007)
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