warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Florida Rides Late Surge to Beat Bruins, Advance to Sweet 16

Johnie Freatman |
March 20, 2011 | 12:03 a.m. PDT

Staff Writer

Erving Walker led the Gators to a decisive win over UCLA. (Creative Commons)
Erving Walker led the Gators to a decisive win over UCLA. (Creative Commons)
In a rematch of the 2006 National Championship game, Florida rode a wave of momentum in the final minutes to defeat UCLA 73-65 Saturday and advance to the Sweet 16.

Playing less than 200 miles from home, the Gators were paced by the outstanding play of Erving Walker, who had 21 points. The 5-foot-8 Walker had several dazzling plays down the stretch, including a fall-away basket over UCLA behemoth Josh Smith and a clutch three to extend Florida’s lead to six with over a minute to go.

Kenny Boynton added 12 points and five assists, and Alex Tyus had 13 rebounds for the Gators.

UCLA had a balanced attack, led by 16 points apiece from big men Josh Smith and Reeves Nelson. Nelson added 11 rebounds for a Bruins team plagued by foul trouble.

Player of the Game:
Erving Walker (G, Florida)

Walker played his best when it mattered most, providing energy and clutch baskets in a fearless performance. His play was especially key when Boynton was out of the game with a sprained ankle.

Pivotal Moment:
Do-it-all Florida forward Chandler Parsons had an emphatic block of a Smith dunk attempt that would have given the Bruins the lead with six and a half minutes to play. This led to back-to-back threes by Florida and a permanent switch in momentum.

What This Means:
Florida moves on to play BYU in the Sweet 16. The Gators have to like their chances against Jimmer Fredette and Co. They are a well-balanced team playing excellent basketball under a head coach in Billy Donovan who knows what it’s like to be in this position.

UCLA heads into next season with a good amount of optimism. They came back from a blowout loss in the Pac-10 Tournament and gave a very respectable showing in the NCAA Tourney. Without a single senior on this season’s roster and with the addition of David and Travis Wear, the Bruins should be a very formidable team next year.
   
________________

To reach Johnie Freatman by email, click here. Follow him on Twitter, @scfreats.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.

 
ntrandomness