Sports | Basketball - The Independent Florida Alligator

Center Patric Young (4) attempts a layup during UF’s 69-52 win against UK on Tuesday in the O’Connell Center.

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Center excels against top talent

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 13, 2013

Before Tuesday, Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel was dominant in the paint.

UF center Patric Young attempts a layup against UK center Nerlens Noel during the Gators’ 69-52 win against the Wildcats on Tuesday in the O’Connell Center.

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No. 7 Florida defeats No. 25 Kentucky in blowout victory

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 12, 2013

During the past four years, Florida was 1-7 against Kentucky. But Tuesday night in the O’Connell Center was a different story for the Gators.

Kenny Boynton (1) attempts a shot during Florida’s 83-58 win against Mississippi State on Saturday.

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Florida hoping to halt recent skid against Kentucky

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 11, 2013

Since becoming Kentucky’s coach in 2009, John Calipari has dominated Florida.

Christin Mercer (25) drives the lane in UF’s 87-54 win against Alabama on Feb. 3. Coach Amanda Butler has identified Mercer as an important post player for the Gators.

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Freshman Mercer achieving consistency in frontcourt

Feb. 11, 2013

Florida’s coaching staff urged Christin Mercer to not become complacent following her best performance of the season against Alabama.

Forward Jennifer George (32) attempts a pass during Florida’s 87-54 victory against Alabama on Feb. 3. The Gators improved to 4-6 in Southeastern Conference play on Sunday.

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Florida wins second straight conference game

Feb. 10, 2013

Hoping to improve its NCAA Tournament chances, the Gators grinded out an important comeback victory on Sunday.

Junior Scottie Wilbekin (5) attempts a layup during UF’s 83-58 victory against Mississippi State on Saturday in the O’Connell Center. Freshman Michael Frazier II replaced Wilbekin in the starting lineup because coach Billy Donovan said Wilbekin lacked energy in practice.

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Junior guard held from starting lineup in Saturday’s victory

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 10, 2013

Florida expected a shorthanded frontcourt in Saturday’s game against Mississippi State. On Friday, junior forward Will Yeguete underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips in his right knee, which will sideline him for 4-6 weeks.

Guard Michael Frazier II (20) drives toward the hoop during Florida’s 77-44 win against Georgia on Jan. 9 in the O’Connell Center.

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Gators romp Mississippi State minus Yeguete

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 9, 2013

With junior forward Will Yeguete out for at least the remainder of the regular season after undergoing surgery on his right knee Friday, Florida needed its role players to step up against Mississippi State.

Junior forward Will Yeguete attempts a layup during Florida’s 78-64 win against Ole Miss on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

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Lack of frontcourt depth costly in loss

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 6, 2013

Will Yeguete’s night in Fayetteville, Ark., lasted less than a minute.

Florida center Vicky McIntyre (34) attempts a shot over a South Carolina defender in the O'Connell Center during Florida's 52-44 loss to South Carolina. After one season with the Gators, McIntyre will not return to UF next season.

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McIntyre turning in consistent play

Feb. 6, 2013

Two games are hardly enough to be considered a representative sample, but for Vicky McIntyre and the Gators, they were small steps in the right direction.

Center Patric Young wipes his brow with a towel during a timeout in Florida’s 83-52 win against Missouri on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center.

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No. 2 Florida suffers first double-digit loss in upset

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 5, 2013

Florida has dominated Southeastern Conference opponents this season, but it finally experienced the other end of the beating against Arkansas.

Junior forward Lily Svete (31) guards sophomore guard Kayla Nolan (20) during Florida’s 84-65 victory against Georgia State on Nov. 11 in the O’Connell Center.

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Forward Svete shining in limited time

Feb. 4, 2013

Lily Svete is everything and nothing you would want in a forward.

Senior guard Kenny Boynton attempts a layup during Florida’s 78-64 win against Ole Miss on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

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Boynton, Murphy thriving together

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 4, 2013

During Florida’s 78-64 win against Ole Miss on Saturday, senior guard Kenny Boynton and senior forward Erik Murphy fed off each other’s strengths.

Florida guard Scottie Wilbekin attempts a shot against Ole Miss forward Reginald Buckner during the Gators’ 78-64 win against the Rebels on Saturday at the O’Connell Center.

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Gators shut down Rebels despite rival guard’s high production

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 3, 2013

Late in the first half, Ole Miss guard Marshall Henderson grabbed a pass from forward Jarvis Summers.

Freshman Christian Mercer (25) attempts a shot during Florida’s 87-54 victory against Alabama on Sunday in the O’Connell Center.

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Florida snaps five-game skid with win against Alabama

Feb. 3, 2013

Poor shooting and slow starts have plagued Florida during Southeastern Conference play. Freshman Christin Mercer helped change that, ending the Gators’ five-game losing streak in the process.

Senior forward Erik Murphy (33) attempts a three-point shot over Ole Miss forward Murphy Holloway (31) on Saturday at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Murphy scored 19 points during Florida's 78-64 victory over Ole Miss.

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Murphy helps Gators down Rebels, extend SEC lead

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 2, 2013

With Florida leading Ole Miss 50-37 at the beginning of the second half, senior Erik Murphy grabbed a defensive rebound and took off down the court. Kenny Boynton missed his jumper, Scottie Wilbekin missed from behind the arc, but Murphy’s three found nothing but net.

Coach Amanda Butler draws up a play during a timeout in Florida’s 88-81 loss to Ole Miss on Jan. 24 in the O’Connell Center. UF’s loss to Missouri on Thursday was its fifth straight defeat.

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Florida drops fifth consecutive game in loss to Missouri

Jan. 31, 2013

Finding consistent offense has been problematic for the Gators during Southeastern Conference play.

Guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) attempts a layup during Florida’s 75-36 win against South Carolina on Wednesday night in the O’Connell Center.

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Gators to face SEC’s top scorer

By LANDON WATNICK | Jan. 31, 2013

Ole Miss guard Marshall Henderson has earned a reputation for more than his scoring.

Senior guard Kenny Boynton (1) walks off the court during Florida’s 75-36 victory against South Carolina on Wednesday night in the O’Connell Center. The Gators are the last remaining unbeaten team in Southeastern Conference play.

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Gators dominate Gamecocks in lopsided 75-36 victory

By LANDON WATNICK | Jan. 30, 2013

Florida has smothered its Southeastern Conference opponents this season, but delivered its biggest trouncing against South Carolina.

Guard Carlie Needles (left) passes the ball to forward Jennifer George (middle) during Florida’s 88-81 loss to Ole Miss on Jan. 24 at home.

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Needles, Gators slumping in conference play

Jan. 28, 2013

Redshirt freshman Carlie Needles was lights out against North Florida on Nov. 19, breaking Florida’s program record with nine three-pointers in a 74-44 victory.

Guards Mike Rosario (left) and Kenny Boynton (1) force a turnover from Missouri’s Keion Bell (5) during Florida’s 83-52 win on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center. Florida is averaging 8.8 steals per game in conference play.

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UF tops SEC in rebounding percentage

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Jan. 28, 2013

Even as the Gators led the Bulldogs by 21 points early in Saturday’s game, they weren’t letting up on defense.