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Updated: Sunday, December 8, 2002 7:24 PM EST
NCAA BASKETBALL RECAP
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(9) Florida 68, South Florida 52
SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS
South Florida Bulls
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FLORIDA GATORS
Florida Gators
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GAINESVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- After barely defeating Florida State, No. 9 Florida made sure it would not come down to the wire against South Florida.

Freshman reserve Anthony Roberson made a season-high five 3-pointers and scored 19 points as the Gators cruised to a 68-52 victory over the Bulls, their 33rd consecutive home triumph over a non-conference opponent.

David Lee scored 16 points and Matt Bonner added 14 for the Gators (6-2), who edged the Seminoles on Friday, 58-57.

Roberson registered 16 points in the opening 20 minutes in this one, including 4-of-4 from the arc, leading the Gators to a 40-25 advantage at the break. Florida shot 62 percent (16-of-26) from the field in the first half after shooting just 34.5 percent against the Seminoles.

"In the first half, I thought Anthony's play coming off the bench, how he shot the ball against their zone, opened things up for us," Gators coach Billy Donovan said.

The Bulls (4-1) got no closer than 10 points in the second half.

"(Donovan) told me to come into games with energy," said Roberson, who had four 3-pointers and 16 points against the Seminoles. "That is what I tried to do the last two games and I think that is what helped me. It always helps to have a positive attitude."

"Roberson is a very good player," Bulls coach Seth Greenberg said. "He kind of gave them a lift when they needed one. He made big shots."

Jimmy Baxter contributed 13 points and Will McDonald 11 for South Florida, which was playing its first road contest of the season. The Bulls had upset Big 12 Conference power Nebraska on Thursday, 65-60.

The Gators had only one personal foul called against them in the first half and four in the entire game - half as many as their previous low under Donovan and the lowest since at least the 1978-79 campaign, according to research materials available at the game.

South Florida attempted only two free throws, its fewest since at least the 1978-79 season. Its previous low was three, set against Jacksonville in 1982 and matched against Southwest Missouri State in 1986.

Overall, Florida shot 46 percent (25-of-64) and South Florida 45 percent (25-of-54). Each team grabbed 30 rebounds.

"I thought we played well," Greenberg said. "I thought our defensive intensity was excellent. Overall, our defensive fundamentals were terrific. A little bit of a slippage in the first half, but overall, I thought we really did a nice job defending."

The Gators dished out 21 assists to the Bulls' eight.

"I think the thing that was most impressive to me was the unselfishness," Donovan said. "We moved the basketball, we passed it very well."


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