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Florida Holds Off Georgia Southern

The Associated Press

Florida's Alex Tyus shoots a foul shot in the second half against Georgia Southern.

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By MIKE DiFERDINANDO

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 23, 2008

GAINESVILLE - Walter Hodge may have had "DEFENSE" shaved into the side of his head, but it was all about offense for the Gators on Monday night.

Three players scored in double figures as Florida beat Georgia Southern 88-81 at the O'Connell Center.

Hodge, who in recent weeks has been outspoken in his motivation of a UF team that has struggled to slow down its opposition all season, might want to try a different look.

UF allowed Georgia Southern to get to the foul line late and failed to put the game out of reach in the second half.

With 38 seconds to go in the game, the Eagles had cut the Gators' lead to three points.

Nick Calathes' 3-point basket with 5 seconds left rescued the Gators.

"They played tougher than us tonight," said Calathes, who scored 21 points. "We definitely died down in the second half."

The game started to slip away from the Gators when UF coach Billy Donovan was given a technical foul with 12:39 to play.

The call sparked a run that sent the Eagles soaring back into the game.

"Certainly I was very, very disappointed with how I got it with a guy asking me a question and then giving me a technical foul. I definitely have a problem with it," Donovan said. "I know I'm not allowed to talk about those guys, but I can tell you right now, this will be addressed with the league office about one individual."

While UF center Alex Tyus scored 20 points, the Gators failed to rebound effectively down the stretch and were unable to take advantage of GSU mistakes. UF shot 14-for-23 from the foul line.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN (3-6) - Troupe 2-4 0-0 4, Perry 5-8 3-3 13, Hanson 6-10 2-2 16, Allen 5-11 3-4 14, Powers 4-14 4-6 12, Johnson 1-2 0-0 2, Janiszewski 0-0 0-0 0, Drayton III 0-1 0-0 0, Marshall 1-1 8-10 11, Pearson 2-6 1-2 6, Wohlleb 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 27-59 21-27 81.

FLORIDA (9-2) - Werner 1-2 0-0 2, Parsons 5-11 2-3 14, Tyus 9-12 2-2 20, Hodge 3-4 1-2 9, Calathes 7-14 5-8 21, Shipman 3-5 2-2 8, Walker 3-8 1-2 7, Chaney 0-0 0-0 0, Kadji 3-3 1-4 7. Totals 34-59 14-23 88.

Halftime-Florida 48-33. 3-Point Goals-Georgia Southern 6-17 (Hanson 2-5, Marshall 1-1, Allen 1-2, Wohlleb 1-2, Pearson 1-3, Powers 0-2, Troupe 0-2), Florida 6-18 (Hodge 2-3, Parsons 2-6, Calathes 2-7, Werner 0-1, Walker 0-1). Fouled Out-Hodge, Werner. Rebounds-Georgia Southern 33 (Allen 7), Florida 33 (Kadji, Parsons 7). Assists-Georgia Southern 12 (Hanson, Powers 5), Florida 20 (Parsons 5). Total Fouls-Georgia Southern 18, Florida 22. Technical-Florida Bench. A-1,001.

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