Gators zap Ags by 20

SUNRISE, Fla.–Elston Turner matched a career high with 20 points and David Loubeau poured in a season-high 20, but No. 22 Texas A&M was unable to overcome an early 16-point deficit en route to an 84-64 defeat at the hands of No. 13 Florida Saturday in the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Classic at BankAtlantic Center.

UF’s Kenny Boynton scored 22 points, sinking six 3-pointers, and was voted the game’s most valuable player. Erving Walker had 16 points and six assists, and Bradley Beal added 16 points for Florida.

The Gators came into the game leading the nation in 3-pointers and ranked third in scoring, and they showed why from the start. Florida took leads of 7-0, 18-2 and 35-14.

At halftime it was 50-25, with Florida outscoring Texas A&M 21-0 from 3-point range. The scoring spree came against an Aggies team that had been allowing only 51.4 points per game.

Turnovers hurt the Aggies early, and they played eight minutes before making their first basket.

The Gators (8-2) won for the first time in three games this season against teams that are in the Top 25. Texas A&M (8-2) had a six-game winning streak snapped.

The Aggies’ Khris Middleton, playing in his second game after being sidelined with a knee injury, shot only five for 18. He scored 12 points and added seven rebounds and seven assists.

David Loubeau, a native of nearby Miami, scored 20 points for the Aggies. Elston Turner also had 20.

Erik Murphy scored 13 for the Gators, including seven of their first nine points.

Florida’s only losses have been to No. 1 Syracuse and No. 2 Ohio State. The Gators finished just under their scoring average of 86.8 points per game. More than half their shots came from 3-point range, and they made 11 of 31.

The margin reached 26 points early in the second half before the Gators cooled off. They shot only 39 percent after halftime, and the Aggies cut the margin to 73-61 with 2:12 left.

Texas A&M’s comeback bid ended when Walker sank a 3-pointer, then made two free throws.

The Aggies missed their first seven shots. By the time Middleton scored their first basket eight minutes into the game, Florida had seven field goals, including a pair of 3-pointers.

The Gators increased their lead to 37-16, with 15 of those points coming off turnovers.

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