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22-0 Start Powers UF

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By STEVEN WINE

The Associated Press

Published: December 29, 2008

SUNRISE - The Florida Gators looked sloppy at the start of the second half Sunday, scoring only seven points in seven minutes, and after a botched exchange, an annoyed Coach Billy Donovan called timeout.

No need to fret: His team was up by 40 points at the time.

Chandler Parsons led an early surge to help the Gators score the game's first 22 points, and they beat Winthrop (1-10) 74-45 in the Orange Bowl Classic.

Parsons needed only 19 minutes to total 17 points and was chosen the game's most valuable player. He sank a trio of 3-pointers before Winthrop scored.

"We came out and played really unselfish," Parsons said. "Our guards kept finding people open, and they kept knocking down shots. It started on the defensive end with us being active and not giving up offensive rebounds. We just came out really well."

After the quick start, Florida had a run of 10 points to lead 36-4, and another run of nine to go up 50-7. At halftime the score was 53-11, matching the fewest points allowed in a half by the Gators since Donovan became coach.

"You get maybe a little surprised, getting up that much that early," Donovan said. "We did a very good job defensively, which allowed us to get out on the break, and the first 15 minutes of the game we shot the ball exceptionally well."

There was no room to feel sympathy for Winthrop, Florida guard Nick Calathes said.

"No, sir, not at all," Calathes said. "You've got to keep playing, even if it's 100-0. We're a young team, and every minute counts for us."

The Gators (10-2) did let up in the second half, when they were outscored 34-21 as Donovan yanked the starters early. Still, his team will begin the new year with at least 10 wins for the fourth season in a row.

WINTHROP (1-10) - Stanley 5-13 3-4 14, Robinson 1-6 1-2 3, Corbin 5-10 2-2 12, Middleton 3-11 0-0 6, Jones 1-6 0-0 2, Burton 1-2 0-0 2, DeWitt 0-2 0-0 0, Faison 1-3 0-0 2, Malcolm 1-3 0-0 2, Valentine 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 19-58 6-8 45.

FLORIDA (10-2) - Werner 4-7 0-0 10, Tyus 5-6 0-0 10, Parsons 5-9 3-4 17, Hodge 3-5 3-3 10, Calathes 3-7 2-2 9, Vargas 0-4 1-2 1, Shipman 4-9 1-2 9, McClanahan 0-1 0-0 0, Walker 2-4 0-0 5, Chaney 0-2 0-0 0, Kadji 1-5 1-1 3. Totals 27-59 11-14 74.

Halftime-F 53-11. 3-Point Goals-W 1-10 (Stanley 1-3, Faison 0-1, Jones 0-1, DeWitt 0-1, Middleton 0-2, Robinson 0-2), F 9-20 (Parsons 4-5, Werner 2-5, Calathes 1-2, Walker 1-3, Hodge 1-3, Shipman 0-1, Vargas 0-1). Fouled Out-None. Rebounds-W 29 (Valentine 5), F 43 (Parsons, Werner 6). Assists-W 9 (Middleton 3), F 17 (Calathes 7). Total Fouls-W 10, F 10. A-9,054.

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