Dores No Match for No. 5 Gators

Dores No Match for No. 5 Gators

1/28/2006

By MARK LONG, AP Sports Writer
January 28, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Al Horford had 16 points, 16 rebounds and six assists, and No. 5 Florida bounced back from consecutive losses to defeat Vanderbilt 81-58 on Saturday.

The Gators (18-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) matched the school record with their 19th straight victory at home. They also extended their winning streak against the Commodores (12-5, 3-3) to five games.

Horford was 6-of-12 from the field, had seven offensive rebounds and scored three baskets in a 15-4 run early in the second half that helped Florida turn a halftime deficit into a double-digit lead.

Horford hit a short jumper that trimmed Vandy’s lead to 42-41, converted a three-point play that put the Gators ahead for the first time since early in the game and had a putback that capped the spurt and made it 54-46.

DeMarre Carroll led Vanderbilt with 18 points, 15 in the first half. The Commodores, who have lost three of four since a stunning win at Kentucky, shot 60 percent in the first half and led by as many as 10 points. But they had just seven field goals in the second half — two on goaltending calls — and shot 29 percent.

Shan Foster had 11 points, his lowest total in 10 games.

Although the Gators trailed 38-35 at halftime, they were much more effective after the break. They seemingly wore down the Commodores with the press, started driving to the basket and shot 62 percent in the final 20 minutes.

Corey Brewer, second on the team in scoring, rebounding and assists, came off the bench for the first time in his career and snapped his consecutive-start streak at 51 games. Slowed by a sprained right ankle, Brewer had three points, three turnovers and four fouls.

Coach Billy Donovan said Brewer asked to come off the bench because he felt freshman Walter Hodge would help the Gators more. Hodge finished with nine points.

The Commodores return to action February 1 at Tennessee.