TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

MVP Speights Powers Gators

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRISTOPHER STOCK, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 30, 2007

Updated: 12/29/2007 11:55 pm

SUNRISE - Sophomore center Marreese Speights scored 20 points as the Florida Gators defeated Temple 86-69 in the Orange Bowl Classic.

Speights earned MVP honors for his performance as he shot 7-for-10 from the floor and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, tying a career high in points.

Florida (12-2) went on a 15-3 run early in the second half to take a 61-45 lead with 12 minutes left and led by double figures the rest of the way.

"From last week to this week, I think we got better," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "It will be interesting to see if we can take another step or do we go the other way and take steps back. That is one of the things I'm always guarded against with a young team."

The Gators got a strong performance from Jonathan Mitchell off the bench as he made all six of his shots en route to a career night, scoring 15 points in 19 minutes.

"I was happy for him," Donovan said. "I saw his attitude and disposition change at the end of the Ohio State game, but the one thing I worry about with Jonathan is that the last two games he has shot the ball well and I think people focus on that."

Freshman Nick Calathes had a solid performance with 14 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Calathes scored eight points during the second-half run after UF led 37-34 at halftime.

Chandler Parsons, another high-profile freshman, scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench.

"They all can play," Temple coach Fran Dunphy said. "They are all really good basketball players."

Temple (6-6) was led by Dionte Christmas, who tied a season high with 32 points. It was the seventh time in his career he has scored at least 30 points in a game. Christmas was the only Owl who scored in double figures.

"Scoring 32 points and losing - I'd feel better scoring two points and winning," Christmas said.

INSIDE THE GAME

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Florida C Marreese Speights scored 20 points in 24 minutes.

STAT OF THE GAME: Florida outrebounded Temple 37-21.

TURNING POINT: When G/F Nick Calathes took over in the second half, scoring two baskets in the paint and knocking down a 3-pointer during a 15-3 run.

UP NEXT: Florida hosts High Point on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT