Florida downs FAMU to remain unbeaten

Florida led by just four points at halftime against winless Florida A&M on Tuesday night.

Gator coach Billy Donovan's comments at the break?

"Guard someone,'' recalled senior forward Dan Werner after Florida's 80-59 win.

Werner finished with a season-high 16 points. Forward Alex Tyus and center Vernon Macklin added 15 and 14, respectively. FAMU (0-8) shot 48.3 percent from the field in the first half against the Gators, who had been holding opponents under 38 percent, and trailed just 37-33.

In the second half, however, Florida turned things around - holding the Rattlers to 33.3 percent (11 of 33) and outrebounding Florida A&M 41-31 for the game. It was UF's first game as a ranked team since last January.

After three big wins last week - including one over then-No. 2 Michigan State - the Gators jumped to 13th in the AP poll and No. 17 in the USA Today voting.

"I'm not sure we could be ranked in the top 300 tonight,'' Donovan said of his team's lackluster play at times.

The Gators, 7-0 for the first time since the 2005-06 season, never trailed in the game. Leading just 16-12 with 12:16 to play in the opening half, Florida went on a 12-2 run to seemingly take command of the game. But the Rattlers cut it back to 37-33 at the half.

Florida, 11-0 all-time vs. FAMU, opened the second half with a 16-1 run to take control of the contest. Freshman star Kenny Boynton, who came into the game averaging a team-high 15.8 points, did not start and failed to score until there were just over 14 minutes left in the contest, finishing with just one point.

"It was my decision and also he's been battling a little bit of a flu bug in his stomach,'' Donovan said of the demotion.

Erving Walker had 10 points and five assists. Christopher Walker was FAMU's only double figure scorer with a game-high 19 points.