Field Level Media
Dec 6, 2020
Keyontae Johnson finished with a game-high 19 points to power undefeated Florida to an 86-40 victory over Stetson on Sunday in Gainesville, Fla.
Johnson, who was selected by the media as the SEC preseason Player of the Year, made 7 of 13 shots and all five attempts from the free-throw for the Gators (3-0).
Florida took advantage of a very poor shooting performance by Stetson (0-3), which missed 28 of its first 31 shots -- 18 of 19 during a 14-minute span leading into halftime.
The Hatters, who have shot under 40 percent in each of their first three losses this season, made only 10 of 51 shots (19.6 percent) and 4 of 22 from 3-point range (18.2 percent).
The Gators outscored the Hatters 27-10 over that span. They poured it on in the second half as Noah Locke helped the effort with 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point range.
Scottie Lewis finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and Tre Mann totaled 10 points.
Tyree Appleby came up with three of his four steals that started transition scores to help Florida begin to distance itself on the scoreboard.
The Gators' defense forced a total of 23 Stetson turnovers and Florida outrebounded the Hatters 43-34 with an 18-4 advantage in points in the paint in the first half. Omar Payne finished with three blocks, five rebounds and four points.
Rob Perry led the Hatters with 13 points, going 6 of 7 from the free throw line and Chase Johnston finished with 10 points and two steals.
The Gators' frontcourt neutralized Stetson 6-foot-10 center Mahamadou Diawara, who entered the game averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds. They held him to one point on 0-for-5 shooting and five rebounds.
Guard Keith Lamar led Stetson on the boards with 10 rebounds.
--Field Level Media