Recap: Dominating second half propels Florida over Georgia, 64-47

(8) Florida 64 - Georgia 47

Top Performers

Florida Gators
Scottie Wilbekin: 17 points (7/9 fg, 2/3 3pt), 3 assists (equalled career-high in points set vs. UCF on November 23)
Kenny Boynton: 14 points (4/10 fg, 2/6 3pt, 4/5 ft), 3 steals
Erik Murphy: 13 points (4/8 fg, 3/5 3pt)
Will Yeguete: 7 points (3/6 fg), 11 rebounds, 4 steals

Georgia Bulldogs
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 16 points (5/11 fg, 3/5 3pt), 7 rebounds

First Half Notes

• Georgia began the game with a 6-0 run.
• The Gators called a timeout after falling behind 8-2.
• The Bulldogs were getting any shot that they wanted, which didn't please Coach Donovan or his staff.
• After falling behind 11-2, UF went on an 8-0 run.
• Junior guard Scottie Wilbekin scored eight points in the first 10 minutes.
• Senior forward Erik Murphy picked up two early fouls, which limited his play in the first half.
• Junior forward Patric Young didn't play his normal game as he was constantly fumbling balls, not corralling rebounds, and picking up cheap fouls.
• Despite Florida's lack of depth, they continued to press after made baskets.  With junior forward Casey Prather out with a high ankle sprain, Donovan has been using a seven-man rotation for the most part.
• It took Florida until the 2:46-mark to attempt its first free-throws (junior forward Will Yeguete made one out of two).
• Based on SEC standards, the first half scoring was especially low.
• At one point, Wilbekin had 13 of Florida's 21 points.  He was keeping us in it.
• Freshman forward DeVon Walker made a surprise early appearance when he checked in at the 3:09-mark.  Due to Young and Murphy's foul trouble, Donovan had no choice but to go with the seldom-used freshman.
• Senior guards Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario were taking ill-advised shots.
• Georgia clearly had the momentum going into halftime after a Caldwell-Pope three-pointer at the buzzer.
• Donovan: "I'm shocked we're not down double digits."
• Donovan: "Worst we've defended the pick-and-roll."
• That was the first time that the Gators have trailed at the half since the Kansas State loss on December 22.
• Gator radio analyst Mark Wise: "I thought Florida's shot selection was the worst I've seen in some time."
• Halftime score: Georgia 27 - Florida 24

Second Half Notes

• Rosario and Wilbekin had three's to begin the second half, and the Gators never relinquished their lead.
• UF's first lead was 30-27 at the 18:11-mark in the second half.
• Young was able to get in the scoring column was a put-back dunk off a Wilbekin missed layup.
• SEC Network play-by-play announcer Dave Neal: "Patric Young has shot better than [or equal to] 50% from the field in every game."  He shot 2/4 from the field on Wednesday.
• Young was more involved in the second half.
• Young had a highlight-reel up-and-under that drew praise from the Gator bench.
• UF had a 21-4 run to begin the second half.
• Murphy was a little out of sync during the first half and parts of the second half, probably due to his foul trouble.
• After hitting six three's in the first half, UGA attempted only one three-pointer in the second half (Caldwell-Pope hit a three with 2:20 left).
• Murphy had all of his 13 points in the second half.
• Boynton was fouled when shooting a three-pointer and made all three free-throws. 
• Despite the large lead at the end of the game, Dillon Graham or Jacob Kurtz did not see action.
• In the end, it was the Gators' seventh straight win and they improved to 7-2 on the road.
• After trailing at the half by three (27-24), the Gators outscored the Bulldogs 40-20 in the second half.
• Final score: Florida 64 - Georgia 47

Selected stats (all Florida stats unless noted)

Field goals made/attempted= 23/51 (45.1%)
Three-pointers made/attempted= 8/20 (40.0%)
Free throws made/attempted= 10/16 (62.5%)
Rebounds/offensive= 31 rebounds/10 offensive
Fouls= 14
Assists= 11
Turnovers= 7
Steals= 10
Georgia turnovers= 17
Blocks= 0
Points off turnovers= 18
Points in the paint= 24
Second-chance points= 12
Fastbreak points= 2
Bench points= 7
Guard rebounds= 8
Marquette offensive rebounds= 5
Second half points= Florida (40), Georgia (20)

Officials= Anthony Jordan, John Cahill, and Pat Adams
Attendance= 6,793

What's Up Next
The Gators will travel to Starkville, MS, to take on the Bulldogs of Mississippi State.  MSU comes in with a record of 7-10 and is 2-3 in the SEC.  Tip is set for 8:00.  The game will be televised on ESPN2 and broadcast on the radio on WRUF/Gator IMG Sports Network.  The pregame radio show begins at 7:25.