Calathes Leads Gators in Final Tune-up

The Florida Gators received another strong effort from sophomore point guard Nick Calathes in a 95-69 romp of visiting Longwood. Calathes posted his second double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Gators improve to 13-2 in their final matchup before starting conference play.

Calathes was 7-of-11 from the floor and also dished out eight assists and grabbed three steals in the winning effort. Freshmen Erving Walker and Kenny Kadji both came off the bench and scored in double figures to help the Gators. Walker hit a pair of 3-pointers en route to 16 points and Kadji hit 7-of-10 from the floor, scoring 14 and pulling in a pair of rebounds.

It took a while before the Gators were able to pull away. With 11:58 left in the first half, they led 18-12, but over the next three minutes, Longwood would go on a 14-8 run, tying the score at 26. During the stretch, Longwood grabbed three offensive rebounds. But for the game, the Gators dominated the boards, outrebounding Longwood 49-28.

With the score tied, the Gators would rattle off seven straight points. Allan Chaney would come off the bench with a slam dunk. He would finish with eight points. Walter Hodge would add one of his two 3-pointers, finishing with eight as well. And Calathes extended the Gator lead to 33-26 with a layup.

The Gators would take a 12-point lead and led 44-34 at the break.

Longwood hung with the Gators during the first eight minutes of the second half before Florida pulled away. With 12:11 left and a 61-52 lead, the Gators went on a 27-6 run to take their biggest lead of the game – 30 points. Florida would get 15 points from the bench.

Florida shot an impressive 59.4 percent from the floor and held Longwood to just 37.1 percent shooting. Chandler Parsons scored nine points and also grabbed eight rebounds. Seven Gators scored at least eight points.

Florida opens up SEC play at the O’Connell Center on Saturday against Ole Miss.