With one nonconference tune-up remaining on their schedule, Patric Young and the Gators appear ready to roar into SEC play.
Behind stifling defense and a balanced scoring attack led by the senior center, No. 13 Florida thrashed Savannah State 76-34 on Sunday while Young made history of his own.
“I’m not concerned at all going into the league or being on the road and playing in any environment based on what we’ve experienced,” coach Billy Donovan said. “The biggest thing is can we play well and can we continue to get better and improve?”
The Gators continue to show progress since being tripped up twice early in the season. In a game that otherwise lacked much drama, the home team brought the crowd to its feet with 9:44 remaining in the second half and Young on the verge of history.
Young entered the game just 12 points shy of becoming the 50th Gator to score 1,000 career points and had 10 when he went to the foul line for two shots and a chance to reach the milestone.
After making his first try, the 6-foot-9, 240-pound center cracked a smile before missing his second shot off the front of the rim. Young redeemed himself with a rebound and tip-in to eclipse the mark four possessions later and finished with a game-high 15 points.
As he was taken out of the game, Young smiled and waved to fans who offered him a standing ovation as the PA announcer spoke of his accomplishment.
“The fans kept reminding me: ‘Four more, Pat. Two more. One more,’ ” Young said. “I was hoping I could get a dunk and that the fans would go even crazier, but just glad to get it done.”
Florida (10-2) buried Savannah State with a pair of lengthy scoring droughts in the first half. The Gators followed up a 12-0 run over 5:51 early in the first half by reeling off a 14-0 stretch during a span of 8:14 shortly afterward to take a 34-11 lead into halftime.
Savannah State (2-11) failed to have a single player score in double figures, and its 34 points were the fewest allowed by Florida since the Gators routed Southern 83-27 on Nov. 28, 2006.
In addition to another promising performance from Young, Michael Frazier II scored 11 points while making three 3-pointers and DeVon Walker chipped in with eight points and seven rebounds off the bench.
“Patric has been a real team guy ever since he’s been here,” Donovan said. “He doesn’t make anything about himself. I was just happy for him that he could get it tonight.”
The Gators have now won 22 straight home games, two wins shy of the program record set in 2007. Florida concludes its nonconference schedule against Richmond at home Saturday.
