Alabama
Florida
Men's Basketball Falls to Florida
2/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 18, 2009
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The University of Alabama basketball team dropped a road contest to Florida 83-74 Wednesday night. The Tide went on a 13-4 run to cut a 16-point Florida lead to seven with 2:35 remaining, but Alabama could get no closer, unable to overcome a double-digit halftime lead.Three Alabama players scored in double-figure led by Alonzo Gee with 17 on 6-11 shooting. The senior from Riviera Beach, Fla. scored his 1500th career point on a breakaway dunk in second half. Freshman JaMychal Green picked up his fifth career double-double with 12 points and a game and career-high 15 rebounds. The Tide held a 41-34 advantage on the boards.
Sophomore Senario Hillman added 15 points and sank two of Alabama's four shots from three-point range. The Gators primary edge came from behind the arc where Florida made 10-29, while Alabama made 4-14. Overall, the Tide shot 48 percent (30-62) from the field compared to 40 percent (27-67) for Florida.
Alabama trailed 35-47 at halftime due in large part to a fast start by Florida. The Gators knocked down three shots from deep in the first five minutes as part of a 19-7 run to begin the game. Both teams shot better than 50 percent before the break, but Florida's 13 points off turnovers compared to two points for the Tide made up the double-figure difference.
Nick Calathes led Florida with 22 points and six assists, and Alex Tyus added 16 points and seven rebounds for the Gators.
Alabama returns home to face division rival Mississippi State at Coleman Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 21. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
