ATHENS -- Marcus Thornton and Kenny Gaines scored 16 points apiece and Georgia, which never trailed, beat Florida 73-61 on Saturday to end the Gators' streak of 24 straight wins in the Southeastern Conference.<br />
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Georgia (11-5, 2-2 SEC) scored the first 12 points. Florida cut the deficit to two points early in the second half but couldn't complete the comeback.<br />
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Florida (10-7, 3-1) had not lost in the SEC since falling to Mississippi in the 2013 SEC tournament championship game. The Gators were a perfect 18-0 in the SEC in 2014 before winning the conference tournament and then winning their first three SEC games this season.<br />
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Devin Robinson and Dorian Finney-Smith both had 11 points for Florida. Michael Frazier II had 10.<br />
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The Gators were playing on short rest after they never trailed in an easy 75-55 home win over Auburn on Thursday night. The team practiced on Friday before traveling by bus to Athens.<br />
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J.J. Frazier, who had 11 points, sank two 3-pointers and Gaines added another 3 as Georgia raced to the 12-0 start. Florida's first basket came on a layup by Jacob Kurtz almost five minutes into the game.<br />
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Georgia's big lead of the half was 15 points, the last time at 21-6, but Florida chipped away with its press and ability to score inside. The Gators cut the lead to 36-31 at halftime.<br />
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Robinson opened the second half with a 3-pointer that cut Georgia's lead to two points, but the Bulldogs didn't falter. Back-to-back baskets by Thornton and Cameron Forte pushed the lead back to double figures at 50-40. J.J. Frazier's 3-pointer gave Georgia a 54-41 advantage, prompting Florida coach Billy Donovan to call timeout.<br />
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Georgia, which had 10 points from Charles Mann, kept the lead in double figures the remainder of the game.<br />
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It was the second straight SEC win for the Bulldogs following a 0-2 start.<br />
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TIP INS<br />
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Florida: Michael Frazier II tied a school record by hitting a 3-pointer in his 39th consecutive game. He sank his first 3-pointer about three minutes into the second half and added another about two minutes later. Lee Humphrey had a 39-game streak in 2006-07.<br />
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Georgia: The game was a sellout at 10,523. Forward Yante Maten (concussion) and guard Juwan Parker (Achilles tendon) returned after missing one game. Sophomore Houston Kessler sank a 3-pointer in the first half, his first of the season and second of his career.<br />
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UP NEXT<br />
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Florida hosts LSU on Tuesday.<br />
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Georgia hosts Mississippi on Tuesday.
