NCAAB Game Recap - Providence at Florida
Tue Dec 17, 2019 7:20 PM EST

SEMO
48
OhSt
80
F
N TX
58
Dayt
71
F
NFla
81
FSU
98
F
Seatt
59
Wash
81
F
SIU-E
73
Winth
93
F
Iona
86
Princ
90
F(OT)
Stetsn
76
UNCA
78
F
UMBC
55
GTown
81
F
MD-ES
57
ECU
71
F
Kent
85
NCAT
71
F(OT)
(N/A)
66
StFPA
115
F
Amer
82
MtStM
76
F
Elon
46
Campbl
60
F
MsVl
50
WriSt
92
F
CenMI
79
RobM
83
F
NE
55
E MI
60
F
Prov
51
Fla
83
F
NCC
60
LaTec
69
F
TNTec
60
Lipsco
78
F
(N/A)
50
UND
109
F
Gram
72
Marq
93
F
MryMO
69
StLou
82
F
Toled
57
UMKC
72
F
(N/A)
74
Drake
92
F
ORU
97
ChiSt
59
F
N AL
56
UAB
63
F
(N/A)
61
APSU
80
F
AlaAM
79
USA
89
F
Okla
73
Crei
83
F
Denv
64
N CO
86
F
JWCO
42
AF
99
F
USF
56
Stan
64
F
GrCan
71
NM
91
F
Purd
69
Ohio
51
F
NebOm
56
E WA
97
F
(N/A)
62
Web
109
F
UCIrv
61
UTEP
67
F
Temp
77
Mia-FL
78
F
PorSt
71
Pepp
77
F

Dec 17, 2019, 7:20 PM EST

Final

1

2

T

Providence

22

29

51

Florida

37

46

83

Johnson scores 19, leads Florida over Providence 83-51
Tue Dec 17, 2019 10:46 PM

NEW YORK (AP) For the better part of two hours, Mike White had witnessed the kind of outclassing that makes coaches rethink their career paths.

And when it was over, he was sheepish. Borderline speechless, really.

Not because he was embarrassed by his team's performance. Rather, he was proud of the complete, 40-minute effort they put forth.

"It was one of those games," White said after Florida routed Providence 83-51 Tuesday night in the second game of the inaugural Air Force Reserve Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational.

"All teams I think this early in the season of course are finding themselves, (and we're) certainly looking for sure but (we) took some steps tonight."

That is an understatement. Keyontae Johnson was one of four Gators (7-3) to finish in double-figure scoring. Johnson led Florida with 19 points. Tre Mann contributed 13 points. Noah Locke chipped in with 11, and Ques Glover had 10. Florida has won five of six.

While the Gators appear to be rolling, Providence (6-6) appears to be stuck in neutral. The Friars have alternated wins and losses in their last four games, and overall have dropped four of six.

Alpha Diallo led all scorers with 20 points. Nate Watson Jr. added 18.

"That was a long game," said Providence coach Ed Cooley.

The Gators led throughout. Florida began the game by outscoring the Friars 22-10 in the first 10:07, and had a 37-22 lead at halftime.

Florida extended its lead to as much as 32 in the second half, as the Gators were able to finish at the rim seemingly at will. In a span of 4:16 early in the second half, Florida scored nine points, six of which came on a dunk and two layups.

"It wasn't our best game," Cooley said. "(Or) best day."

With the outcome long determined, the only questions were whether Florida would set a season high in points scored and a season low in points allowed. The Gators had scored 78 against Miami on Nov. 22, while limiting the Hurricanes to 58.

BIG PICTURE

Shot-making has been vital to success in basketball since Dr. James Naismith first hung a peach basket in 1891. Being able to score has only grown in importance as the sport is in an era of offensive efficiency, specifically from beyond the arc. Teams that can effectively take-and-make 3-pointers are in a better position to win than those who cannot.

Entering Tuesday night's game, Providence had played 11 games and displayed a troubling inability to make shots from the perimeter as the Friars had only made 82-of-252 3-pointers - a .341 clip. As unsightly as that percentage is, it might as well be showcased in the Louve when compared to how they shot against the Gators. Providence finished the game having made just 1 of 18 3-point attempts, including all nine attempted in the first half. Luwane Pipkins' 3 with 11:37 left in the second half ended the drought, but by that time, they had already missed 11 from beyond the line.

It wasn't just from 3 where the Friars struggled as Providence made only 25.9% (15 for 58) shots from the field.

"I think our kids are playing hard," Cooley said. "We're just not having the success that we want."

While the Friars were trapped in a 40-minute deep freeze, Florida authored a master class in offensive basketball. The Gators left the Barclays Center having shot 50.9% from the field, and 44.4% from 3.

UP NEXT

FLORIDA: Hosts Utah State Saturday.

PROVIDENCE: Hosts Texas Saturday.

---

For more AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25

Leaders

Providence PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
A. Diallo 20 0 1 12 4 1
N. Watson 18 0 1 8 0 0
Florida PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
K. Johnson 19 0 2 10 4 0
T. Mann 13 0 2 4 1 1

Team Comparison

Prov Fla
Points For 51 83
Field Goals 15/58-26% 29/57-51%
Three Pointers 1/18-6% 8/18-44%
Free Throws 20/34-59% 17/24-71%
Offensive Rebounds 20 10
Defensive Rebounds 18 26
Rebounds 38 37
Blocks 1 3
Steals 5 9
Turnovers 15 10
Personal Fouls 21 25
Technical Fouls 0 0
Ejections 0 0

2019-20 Reg Season - Fla Leads Series 1-0

Date Result Away Pts Ldr Home Pts Ldr
Tue Dec 17 Prov 51 @ Fla 83 A. Diallo 20 K. Johnson 19

Game Information

Stadium: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Attendance: 0
Game Time: