Parsons leads Gators in Exhibition Rout

The Florida basketball team wrapped up their exhibition season with a blowout win against Rollins College on Thursday night. The Gators used a 26-2 first half run to jump out to a big, early lead and never looked back in an 82-53 rout of the Tars.

The Gators started hot, hitting their first three shots, two from behind the arc. Florida ran out to a 14-2 run in the first three minutes, getting five points apiece from both Chandler Parsons and Nick Calathes in the game’s early minutes.

After Rollins narrowed the margin to 17-10, Florida took off, scoring 16 straight as part of the 26-2 run. Florida was red hot from behind the arc, knocking down eight 3-pointers. Freshmen Erving Walker and Ray Shipman knocked down the deep ball as all four freshmen that played scored in the first 20 minutes. Eloy Vargas did not play because of an injury.

The Gator defense was active and effective in the first half. Florida forced 12 turnovers and scored 20 points off of them. Calathes led the Gators with 11 first half points, taking over the point guard position from the now departed Jai Lucas. Parsons scored nine and Shipman eight.

After making better than 51 percent of their shots through the first 20 minutes, the Gators only shot 42.9 percent from the floor in the second half. The difference came from behind the arc. Florida made just 4-of-12 after making half their long-range jumpers in the first half.

Parsons had a big half scoring seven, but he also turned it over twice. He tied Calathes for a game-high 16 points. Calathes scored six in the second half despite seeing just five minutes of action.

Florida was actually outrebounded 37-36 with Alex Tyus grabbing six boards and Werner grabbing five. The Gators forced 23 turnovers and turned it over just 12 times themselves against 23 assists.

The Gators struggled from the line, making just 8-of-16 from the charity stripe. They did a much better job of getting to the line in the first half, shooting just two free throws in the second half.

Ray Shipman led the freshman with 12 points. He also added three assists and two steals. Walker scored 11 and saw a lot of time running the point. He finished third on the team with four assists. Allan Chaney scored six and Kenny Kadji scored four.

Florida now takes a week off before opening the season at home next Friday night at 6 p.m. against Toledo.