No. 8 Gators chew up Auburn

Posted 7:08AM on Thursday 21st February 2002 ( 23 years ago )

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - Even though Florida's lofty goals for the season include a Southeastern Conference title and a deep run in the NCAA tournament, Gators coach Billy Donovan still wants people to realize the achievement of winning 20 games. Udonis Haslem had 18 points and Matt Bonner added 13 points and eight rebounds as No. 8 Florida beat Auburn 89-61 Wednesday night, the Gators' fifth win in six games. Florida (20-5, 9-4 Southeastern Conference) reached the 20-win mark for a school-record fourth straight season and sixth overall. The Gators also won at least 20 games in 1987-88 and 1988-89. ``To win 20 games in this league, as tough as this league is and as tough as this schedule has been, is a great accomplishment for our team,'' Donovan said. ``We have other goals ... but I'm never going to lose perspective of where this program has been in four years.'' The Gators' win, combined with No. 5 Alabama's 67-59 loss at Arkansas, also moved them within a game of the Crimson Tide for the SEC's best record. Alabama (22-5, 10-3) plays host to Florida on Saturday. ``In this league, it always comes down to the end,'' Donovan said. ``That's just the way it's going to be, so you can't get too excited if you've got a lead of a game or two and you can't get too down if you're down a game or two.'' In addition, Florida stayed a game ahead of Kentucky and Georgia atop the SEC East. Auburn (11-13, 3-10) shot 39.7 percent, missed nine of 14 free throws and turned the ball over 17 times for 19 Florida points. The Tigers have lost all eight of their road games this season, including seven in the SEC. ``We executed pretty well, but we just didn't make the shots that's the bottom line,'' Auburn coach Cliff Ellis said. ``Against a pressing-type team, 17 turnovers is not all that bad.'' Reserve guard Adam Harrington led the Tigers with 11 points, while Marquis Daniels and Marco Killingsworth each had 10. Ellis' investment in leaning heavily on his freshmen seems to have stopped paying dividends. After two wins using a ``Tiger Tots'' starting lineup with as many as four first-year players, Auburn has lost its last two games by a combined 64 points. Against Florida, freshmen guards Lewis Monroe and Dwayne Mitchell combined for seven points while committing six turnovers. ``I think the big thing that Auburn is lacking are some big, experienced guys,'' Donovan said. The Gators shot 51.5 percent, 58.6 percent in the first half, as they shook off one of their worst offensive games in years. In their 68-51 loss at Mississippi on Saturday, the Gators shot only 29 percent their third-worst performance since records became available in 1968 - and posted their fewest points in six years. Florida opened a 20-point lead on Haslem's first shot of the second half. That began a 9-0 run which put the Gators up 55-28 with 17:33 left. Brett Nelson led the Gators to an 11-2 lead less than three minutes into the game. He hit his first 3-pointer, then another on a fast break. After a basket by Auburn, Orien Green made a 3 and Nelson capped the outburst with an acrobatic fastbreak layup off a steal at halfcourt. That was all of Nelson's scoring, while Greene finished with 12 points. Against the Rebels, Nelson was held scoreless on 0-for-9 shooting. ``I had confidence in myself,'' Nelson said. ``I came out and played like I normally do.'' Among the 11,311 in attendance were New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens and Orlando Magic guard Mike Miller, a former Gator.

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