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BOX SCORE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – "Huge" was the correct word.
Both for the importance of No. 6 Florida's 72-62 victory over
Vanderbilt on Wednesday night and for the 24-point effort from
Gators guard Brett Nelson.
|  | | The Gators' Major Parker finds himself in a situation he can't get out of as Vanderbilt's Anthony Williams, left, and Russell Lakey apply pressure. |
"It was a huge win tonight because if we don't win, we can't
win the SEC title and that was our goal coming into the season,"
said Nelson, who was 8-for-13 from the field.
The Gators (21-5, 11-4 Southeastern Conference) are one game
behind Kentucky in the SEC East with each having one game to play.
Florida was clinging to a 58-57 lead with 6:26 to play before
turning the game its way with some rugged defense.
"I thought Major (Parker) did a great job on (Brendan) Plavich
and taking away the 3-point shot at the end of the game. That was
the difference tonight," Florida coach Billy Donovan said.
It was Florida's offensive depth that made much of the
difference, according to Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings.
"I've been impressed all year with Florida and tonight was no
exception," he said. "I feel they are the best offensive team in
the league. Not having a go-to guy that can pound their players to
create opportunities for our team hurt us."
The Gators appeared in control after building a 35-24 halftime
lead, but Vanderbilt (15-13, 4-11) opened the second half with a
14-4 run, pulling within 39-38 after a 3-pointer by Matt Freije.
Florida twice built the lead back to 11 points.
Consecutive jumpers by Nelson gave the Gators a 58-47 lead with
8:20 to play, but again Vanderbilt rallied.
Russell Lakey capped a 10-0 Commodores run with a 3-pointer to
cut the Gators' lead to 58-57 with 6:10 left.
Vanderbilt had a chance to take the lead, but Freije missed a
jumper from the baseline. Nelson then helped Florida put the game
away, scoring half of the Gators' last 14 points.
Leading 66-59 after a dunk by Bonner, who finished with 19
points, with 1:13 remaining, the Gators went 6-for-8 from the
free-throw line to hold off the Commodores.
Parker added 11 points for Florida.
Chuck Moore led Vanderbilt with 15 points, while Anthony
Williams added 14.
The Gators used a 12-2 run to break from a 9-9 tie early in the
first half.
Teddy Dupay started the Florida run with a jumper from the top
of the key. Nelson, who scored five points during the run, closed
the Gators' scoring spree with an inside basket.
Florida twice led by 12 points in the opening half, the last at
29-17 after a basket by Bonner with 6:40 remaining.
The Commodores showed life with a 7-0 spurt, keyed by five
points from Moore, to close within 29-24 with 3:49 left in the
half.
But Florida went on a 6-0 run, which included two baskets by
Udonis Haslem, to lead by 11 points at halftime.
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ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard
Florida Clubhouse
Vanderbilt Clubhouse
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