No. 5 Florida Crushes No. 3 Ohio State
POSTED: Saturday, December 23, 2006
UPDATED: 6:38 pm CST December 23,
2006
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The defending champs gave Greg Oden a lesson, as Corey Brewer played overwhelming defense and Taurean Green scored a game-high 24 points in No. 5-ranked Florida's 86-60 rout of third- ranked Ohio State.
Oden struggled to recognize double teams and played through constant foul trouble, scoring just seven points with six rebounds and four blocks. The Buckeyes were held to their lowest point total of the season, 12 below the previous low against Cincinnati on Dec. 16.
The young Buckeyes (10-2) were blown away in a swarm of poor long-distance shooting. A club that shoots 42 percent from three-point range on the campaign made just 7-of-23.
Mike Conley had 13 points and Jamar Butler was the other Buckeye in double figures with 11.
Florida (11-2) made a huge statement to the nation, and striked against the claim that the collection of Buckeye guards, combined with Oden in the middle, was unbeatable.
Brewer scored 18 points with five rebounds, Lee Humphrey donated 12 points and Al Horford compiled 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Horford's double-double came after many didn't even expect him to play 12 hours ago with a sprained ankle. Joakim Noah contributed seven points, eight rebounds and four assists.
The game began as billed, going back and forth with Green's layup squaring the contest at 20-20 with 6:08 left. The Gators scored the next 13 points with consecutive dunks by Noah and Horford then a three by Humphrey capping the stretch.
The Gators led 38-29 at the break.
Ohio State started the second half on a 9-0 run to tie the contest. Ivan Harris' three-pointer made the score 38-38 with 17:44 left.
It was all Gators from there.
An 8-0 run capped by Green's layup several minutes later opened a 55-43 edge.
The lead kept swelling, as Green's three with 8:39 on the clock opened a 70-47 advantage.
Copyright 2007. Courtesy of SportsNetwork.