Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton each scored 17 points to propel No. 15 Florida to a 68-61 victory over host Louisiana State on Sunday.
Vernon Macklin had 16 points for the SEC East-leading Gators (21-5, 10-2), who won for the 13th time in 15 games despite the absence of star Chandler Parsons (thigh bruise).
Florida threatened to blow the Tigers out of their own gym in the first half when it scored 28 of its 40 points in the paint en route to a 15-point halftime lead.
LSU, which has lost 10 straight, fought back in the second half. Ralston Turner scored 18 points for the Tigers (10-16, 2-10 SEC West), who cut an 11-point lead to six with 3:10 to play.
Boynton answered with a layup, however, and Florida sealed the game by hitting its last eight free throws.
Florida | Louisiana State | |
Kenny Boynton 17 | Scoring | Ralston Turner 18 |
Kenny Boynton 2 | Assists | Ralston Turner 4 |
Alex Tyus 9 | Rebounds | Malcolm White 6 |
Kenny Boynton 6 | Free Throws Made | Ralston Turner 2 |
Kenny Boynton 2 | Steals | Ralston Turner 2 |
Kenny Boynton 1 | Blocks | Malcolm White 1 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Florida | 68 | 45.5 | 4-13 | 14-20 | 7 | 36 | 2 | 9 | |
Louisiana State | 61 | 42.4 | 7-18 | 4-7 | 13 | 25 | 1 | 6 |