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RECAP
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Udonis Haslem had 20 points and 12
rebounds to help Florida bully its way to a 79-65 victory
Saturday over Rutgers.
|  | | Florida's Udonis Haslem looks to the basket while being defended by Rashod Kent Saturday. |
This was a plodding, physical contest with the aesthetics of a
gray, winter day in New Jersey -- a game that seemed more suited to
Rutgers (5-2) and the Big East than Florida (No. 9 ESPN/USA Today, No. 8 AP) and its run-'n-gun style.
The Gators (4-1) persevered, and advanced their school-record streak
to 51 games without back-to-back losses. Florida fell 99-83 to
defending champ Michigan State last Wednesday in a rematch of last
season's NCAA title game.
Like the Gators, the Scarlet Knights were coming off their first
loss of the season. Still, this is their best start in 10 seasons,
which also marks the last time they went to the NCAA tournament.
They played like a contender throughout, even though their
leading scorer this season, Todd Billet, missed his first 12 shots
and didn't score until 3:51 remained and the game was practically
out of reach.
Jeff Greer scored a career-high 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting
to keep the Knights in it. He hit three 3-pointers and made a
three-point play to pull Rutgers within 56-54 with 8:30 remaining.
Soon after that, Haslem took over, scoring six straight points
to give the Gators their first double-figures lead, 67-55 with 5
minutes left.
Rutgers got the deficit down to eight again, but never seriously
challenged.
As usual, Florida had a balanced scoring day.
Coming off the bench for the first time, Brett Nelson hit four
3-pointers and finished with 14 points. Inserted back into the
starting lineup for the first time since his one-game suspension,
Teddy Dupay had 16 points and six rebounds. Brent Wright also
scored 16 points for the Gators.
Rashod Kent had 12 points for the Knights, but Billet's lack of
touch made a huge difference. A 20-points-per-game player, the
sophomore shot 1-for-13 en route to his career low scoring game.
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Rutgers Clubhouse
Florida Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Udonis Haslem takes control under the basket.
avi: 657 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Rashod Kent gets the ball in the key and slams it down for Rutgers.
avi: 699 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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