University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
15-8, 3-5
Florida
21-2, 8-0
SECOND HALF RALLY FALLS SHORT FOR VOLS AT FLORIDA
February 03, 2007 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 3, 2007
| 
Coach Pearl | W. Chism
Box Score | Cumulative Stats in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Al Horford had a career-high 22 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two key second-half blocks to help top-ranked Florida beat Tennessee 94-78 Saturday and extend the nation's longest winning streak to 14 games.
Horford scored 15 points in the first half as the defending national champions opened up a 27-point lead that the Volunteers couldn't overcome, especially without Southeastern Conference leading scorer Chris Lofton.
Lofton missed his fourth consecutive game with a sprained right ankle, and Tennessee (15-8, 3-5) fell to 1-3 without him.
He might not have been able to prevent the outcome - unless the shooting guard could muster a way to stop Horford.
Florida's 6-foot-10 junior scored in a variety of ways. He had dunks, layups, putbacks and a short jumper. He even made most of his free throws, going 12-of-16 from the line.
Horford's best play came early in the game when he spun on a defender and dunked.
Joakim Noah had 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, Taurean Green added 18 and Corey Brewer and Walter Hodge finished with 12 apiece for the Gators (21-2, 8-0).
Wayne Chism led the Vols with 19 points, and JuJuan Smith added 16.
Florida scored the first nine points in the game, opened up a 26-9 advantage following Horford's jumper midway through the first half and led 50-24 at the break.
Tennessee used a pressing defense and a bevy of 3-point shots to cut into the lead in the second half. Smith and Dane Bradshaw hit consecutive 3s to make it 79-65 with about 6 minutes to play, but Horford made sure the Volunteers didn't get any closer.
He blocked Bradshaw's 3-point attempt the next time down the floor, made two free throws on the other end and then blocked Bradshaw's close-range shot a few seconds later.
The Gators improved to 14-0 at home this season, extended their home winning streak to 16 games and set a school record for their best start in conference play. They broke the previous 7-0 mark set in 2003.
Florida also avenged last year's home loss to Tennessee, a game in which Noah had a tooth knocked out.
