WASHINGTON, D.C. - The 18/16 University of Florida men’s basketball team took advantage of hot shooting from its seniors to defeat American University, 67-48, at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
The Gators’ senior trio of forward Chandler Parsons (Casselberry, Fla.), center Vernon Macklin (Portsmouth, Va.) and forward Alex Tyus (St. Louis, Mo.) combined for 39 points, including Tyus’ perfect performance (4-for-4) from the charity stripe. Junior guard Erving Walker (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the Orange and Blue with his second-straight 16-point showing.
Parsons rebounded from an uncharacteristic showing against UCF to lead the Gators with team highs of eight boards and three steals.
The teams traded points to open the first half, with American taking as much as a four-point lead at 3-7 with a slam by Stephen Lumpkins. Macklin answered with back-to-back jumpers to tie the game at 7-7 before the first media timeout.
Back from the break, Parsons went on a tear, scoring 10 points in nearly six minutes, including a clutch in-and-out 3-pointer to give the Gators the lead. With Parsons’ layup less than a minute later, Florida held the advantage for good and never looked back.
In the second half, the Gators held the Eagles scoreless in the first four minutes thanks to steals by Parsons and Walker, and a Tyus dunk to force an American timeout.
Florida allowed American back within eight with eight minutes remaining with a Troy Brewer layup but Parsons came through once again, grabbing an offensive board from his own missed free throw and sinking the layup to stretch the Gators’ lead back to double-digits.
Troy Brewer led all players with 17 points and Stephen Lumpkins contributed a match-high eight rebounds.
Florida will next take to the hardwood on Thursday, Dec. 9 as they return to the friendly confines of the O’Connell Center to face the Kent State Golden Flashes for the first time. Opening tip is at 7:00pm and will be televised on ESPN2.
