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Gators Win Big Despite Lapses

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A Tribune staff, wire report

Published: December 11, 2008

GAINESVILLE - Sometimes the type of game its final score would indicate and the game that was actually played are vastly different things.

That was the case Wednesday night as Florida (7-2) pounded Florida Gulf Coast University 87-59, yet played far from a complete game.

With 6:53 remaining in the first half, Florida actually trailed 26-25 after Eagles guard Reed Baker's drained a 3-pointer.

It was Baker who kept the Gators from pulling away early as he nailed his first five attempts from 3-point range to keep Florida Gulf Coast in striking distance as the Eagles hit six of their first nine attempts.

"He had some crazy range," Center Alex Tyus said. "Normally we try to play below the 3-point line but he really hurt us."

The Gators opened the second half with a 17-8 run that put the game away. Tyus and Marcus Hodge each scored 19 to lead the Gators.

Despite the win, the story of the game was guard Nick Calathes, who did not start because according to Coach Billy Donovan, he did not "meet the level of preparedness expected for players."

Calathes took the benching in stride, though, as he finished the night with nine assists and zero turnovers.

"I think that was the first time I haven't started a game since I was 6 years old," Calathes said. "It was strange but I was able to get into a groove in the second half."

Donovan said Calathes was not the only player who did not meet his standards, but that he was the only regular starter and he doesn't expect any such incidents to occur again.

"Nick is a great kid and a hard worker," Donovan said. "He's one of the hardest working guys on the team."

Karl Hyppolite

NO. 10 XAVIER 78, OHIO 56

CINCINNATI - Freshman point guard Terrell Holloway returned from a stress fracture in his foot and put the sizzle back into Xavier's offense, helping the 10th-ranked Musketeers (8-0) stay unbeaten with a victory over Ohio (4-4).

NO. 5 OKLAHOMA 78,

MAINE 52

NORMAN, Okla. - Blake Griffin had 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead No. 5 Oklahoma (9-0) past Maine (5-5).

WOMEN

NO. 23 FLORIDA 75,

COPPIN STATE 34

Lonnika Thompson scored 13 points, Marshae Dotson added 10 and No. 23 Florida (9-1) beat Coppin State (0-8).

MICHIGAN 63,

NO. 8 NOTRE DAME 59, OT

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Stephany Skrba scored four of her 20 points in overtime to help Michigan (6-4) hand No 8 Notre Dame (7-1) its first loss.

NO. 12 LOUISVILLE 70,

HARTFORD 42

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Angel McCoughtry had 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 steals for the fourth triple-double in school history, leading 12th-ranked Louisville (8-1) to a win against Hartford (5-5).

WOMEN

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