GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Graduate student
Pookie Powell had 21 points and sophomore
David Beatty registered 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting in an 82-69 loss to Florida on Wednesday evening at the Exactech Arena. The Explorers trailed by just seven early in the second half following a three-pointer from junior
Traci Carter, but the Gators responded with 11 straight points to pull away.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A three-pointer from Beatty and two free throws from Powell opened the scoring for the Explorers and gave La Salle a 5-2 lead to begin the game.
- Florida went on to score 13 of the next 15 points to open up a 15-7 lead, capped by a dunk from Mike Okauru.
- A fast-break dunk from Powell brought the visitors to within six with 12:21 to go in the opening half, before five straight by the Gators bumped their margin to double digits.
- With the score 27-15 in favor of Florida, Beatty knocked down a three to spark a quick 6-0 run that halved La Salle's deficit.
- Two free throws from Powell capped the scoring in the opening half as the Explorers entered intermission trailing 40-32.
- Carter's trifecta nudged La Salle closer in the early stages of the second stanza, before Florida's run.
- The Explorers finished the game on an 11-1 run, with junior Isiah Deas connecting on two three's and sophomore Miles Brookins threw down a dunk during the stretch.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Freshman Jared Kimbrough received his first career start and led the Explorers in rebounding for the third straight game with eight.
- Kimbrough and classmate Ed Croswell helped La Salle keep the rebounding battle close, as the Southeastern Conference opponent edged La Salle, 30-28, in the battle of the boards.
- Turnovers were a key category in the game, as the Explorers committed a season-high 19 that led directly to 30 Florida points.
- Jalen Hudson finished with 15 points to lead the Gators, who shot 55.6 percent from the field.
UP NEXT
- La Salle returns to Tom Gola Arena on Saturday, Nov. 17 for a matchup with Drexel.
- Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., with all of the action available on ESPN+ (subscription required).