UF pulls away from Eagles

On a night when Florida coach Billy Donovan’s mentor sat courtside, the Gators put on another less than impressive shooting clinic from 3-point range.

But in a physical game in which the Gators went to the foul line 43 times, Florida pulled away late to beat Georgia Southern 69-49 on Wednesday night at the O’Connell Center.

Florida went 2-for-16 from 3-point range and is just 3-for-29 from beyond the arc in its first two games. But the Gators again won with defense, holding Georgia Southern to 32.7 percent from the floor while outrebounding the Eagles 51-33.

“In years past with the type of offense we’ve had it would have probably spelled disaster for us,” Donovan said. “But it’s been our defense that’s carried us. I think we can continue to correct and get better on the offensive end of the floor, but I think they are taking pride in getting stops.”

Florida has held each of its first two opponents under 50 points for the first time since the 1949-50 season.

“It’s the whole mentality we have for this year,” Florida junior forward Chandler Parsons said. “We have to be a defensive team to get wins.”

Louisville coach Rick Pitino attended the game after an afternoon recruiting trip to Ocala. Pitino’s son, Richard, is in his first year as an assistant coach with the Gators.

“They have a nice team,” Pitino said of the Gators. “Once they start hitting their shots, I think they are going to be OK.”

Freshman guard Kenny Boynton led three Florida players in double-figures with 22 points. Vernon Macklin added 15 points and Parsons posted the third double-double of his career with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

After Gainesville native Willie Powers hit a layup for Georgia Southern to cut the Florida lead to 55-47 with 4:15 left, the Gators closed the game with a 14-2 run. Boynton pulled off a rare four-point play with 2:38 left, hitting a 3-pointer as he was fouled by Georgia Southern guard Johntavious Rucker, to put Florida ahead to stay 60-47.

There were some anxious moments early in the second half, particularly when Georgia Southern went ahead 30-26 on a 3-pointer from guard Antonio Hanson. But Florida responded with a 12-0 run to take a 38-30 lead. Boynton scored six of the points on a dunk and two layups in transition.

“We pushed the ball and that loosened guys up,” Boynton said.

Florida’s ball movement problems from the season opener against Stetson bled into the first half against Georgia Southern. The Gators had two assists to 10 turnovers and shot just 25.8 percent from the floor. Florida also missed all nine of its first half 3-point attempts.

The Eagles came out playing physically from the onset, frustrating Florida into several first-half mistakes. Florida was in the double-bonus when Georgia Southern committed its seventh foul with 11.31 remaining in the half. But Florida failed to take full advantage, making just 10-of-15 free throw attempts.

For the game, Florida went 29-of-43 from the foul line.

“It got physical out there, but in games when it gets physical and chippy you have to keep your composure and play through it,” Parsons said.

Macklin hit consecutive baskets on a putback and a dunk on a nice feed from Erving Walker to put Florida ahead 22-21 with 3:02 remaining. Walker hit two more free throws to put Florida ahead 24-21 with 2:16 left. Georgia Southern guard Ben Drayton scored four straight points on a 4-0 run, putting Georgia Southern ahead 25-24 on a pair of free throws with 7.1 seconds remaining. But Drayton fouled Walker with 5.1 seconds left as he tried to bring the ball upcourt. Walker made both free throws, putting Florida ahead 26-25 at halftime.

“They had us playing their tempo in the first half,” said Walker, who finished with nine points and six assists. “In the second half, we settled down.”

FREE THROWS: Powers, a former P.K. Yonge standout, started at point guard and had four points and five assists. ... Junior Alex Tyus equaled a career-high with three blocked shots. ... Redshirt sophomore guard Adam Allen said he will undergo surgery on his knee Monday and expects to miss six months. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to play next season,” Allen said.