Mike Rosario scored 22 points and Michael Frazier added 18
points off the bench as seventh-ranked Florida defeated Auburn 83-52 on
Saturday in Auburn Arena.
"We just played one of the best teams in the country,"
Auburn head coach Tony Barbee said. "We played a veteran, experienced team and
they proved why they are one of the best teams in the league and in the
country. I told our guys I was disappointed in the overall defensive intensity
and attention to detail. You have to learn against playing from teams like
that. They have a veteran group now that has been doing it together for a
couple of years, so you see why they play with such chemistry on the offensive
and defensive end of the floor. You want to put up a better effort against a
team that is that good, especially in front of a great crowd like it was
today."
Florida used a 9-1 run to take a 13-3 lead over the first
five minutes of play as the Tigers missed six of its first seven field goal
attempts. Another 6-1 run by the Gators was capped with a three-point play for
Mike Rosario and Florida led 25-10 with 9:34 remaining.
Frankie Sullivan found a cutting Jordan Price for a layup,
but Auburn still trailed 28-14 with seven minutes left in the first half.
Florida then used a 10-3 rally to widen the Tigers' deficit to 43-22 with less
than three minutes remaining before halftime.
The Gators closed the half on a 17-5 run and Scottie
Wilbekin's jumper with two seconds remaining left Auburn trailing 47-22 at the
break.
Auburn fell to 9-16 overall, 3-9 in the SEC while Florida
improved to 21-3, 11-1.
Florida picked up the second half where it left off in the
first as it shot 54 percent from 3-point range (8-of-15) after halftime. The
Gators led by as many as 36 in the second half.
The Tigers shot 35.2 percent (19-of-54) for the game.
Florida finished the game shooting 57.4 percent (31-of-54), including 15-of-30
from 3-point range.
Chris Denson scored 13 points to lead Auburn while Price
added 12 points off the bench.
Auburn is in action next on Wednesday, February 20 in Auburn
Arena at 7 p.m. against Texas A&M. The game will be televised by ESPN3.
