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Parsons Comes To Life For UF

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By MIKE DiFERDINANDO

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 1, 2008

ORLANDO - In a fit of offensive aggression, Chandler Parsons made Missouri-Kansas City pay for an early season full of frustration on Sunday.

Parsons scored 17 points in No. 17 UF's 86-65 win during the Florida Hospital Gator Jam at Amway Arena.

Parsons, who was replaced in the starting lineup for the second consecutive game by freshman Allan Chaney, rediscovered his touch in front of an arena full of family and friends.

"I think a lot of times when a player feels like his back is against the wall, you get to the point where you go back to the most basic things," UF coach Billy Donovan said. "Chandler went out and decided to be aggressive and just play."

Parsons was averaging 6 points per game and shooting 35 percent from the field before breaking out against the Kangaroos (3-5).

"I'm a confident shooter. I wasn't worried about them falling," Parsons said.

It was far from the easy win the Gators (5-1) scheduled before the season.

With less than five minutes left in the first half, UMKC, led by guard Dane Brumagin (14 points in the half), had shot its way to a 32-29 lead, but the Gators quickly closed the door with an 11-0 run to end the half.

The trend continued in the second half, as UF opened with a 5-0 run and quieted any thoughts of a Kangaroos upset.

UF's Alex Tyus scored 25 points (seven dunks) and had eight boards.

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