With the exasperating last-minute implosion against Arizona still lingering in their minds, the Gators needed to deliver a thorough demolition to reestablish themselves Wednesday night.
Eighth-ranked Florida got back on track with an 82-43 win over Southeastern Louisiana at the O’Connell Center, burying any remaining frustration from Saturday’s loss. The Gators (8-1) started sluggishly, but pushed their lead to 20 points early in the second half and rolled.
“We wanted to come out and just play the best we could,” guard Scottie Wilbekin said. “It ended up being a blowout and that’s all we could hope for. We’re confident in ourselves and we know where we can go if we just play the right way.”
Mike Rosario played the best game of his UF career. He hit seven of his first 10 shots and finished with 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting with six rebounds and four assists against the Lions (1-8).
It was his fourth consecutive game scoring in double figures, which he has done in seven of Florida’s nine games. He is averaging 12.9 points per game this season, including 15.3 in his past four.
“I’m just using what I know I do best,” he said. “I can score the ball and I’ve been proving that. My teammates have been getting me involved, so I’ve been trying my best to knock down open shots.”
True freshman Michael Frazier II added 12 points and six rebounds. Patric Young had 10 points and five rebounds.
Gators senior Kenny Boynton continued his shooting slump, going 1 of 7 from the floor — all three-pointers — and finished with seven points and five assists.
He his shooting 35.9 percent and is 9-for-40 in the past four games. His three-point shooting, probably his greatest asset, also has suffered. He is hitting 28.6 percent, which would be the lowest of his career. He made 4-of-9 against Central Florida on Nov. 23, but is 3-of-24 since.
“This is going to sound terrible to say, but this is great for him,” coach Billy Donovan said. “Not that I want him going through a difficult time, but he’s gotta fight through this. Anytime anything comes easy to you and you don’t have to work for it and struggle and battle and grind, you lose a sense of how hard it is to make shots. I think this is going to enable him to persevere and utilize this to make him stronger.”
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