With a performance straight out of his sophomore season, Dan Werner scored nine (NINE!) points on 3-5 shooting to lead the Gators to a 78-70 win over Auburn. The win snapped Florida's two game losing streak.
The Gators (18-8, 7-4 SEC) were actually led by the recently shorn Chandler Parsons and his 17 points, six rebounds and four assists. Unlike Samson, Chandler did not lose his ability when he lost his hair. Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton did not have the best night (combined 2-13 shooting), but they got 14 and 10 points by getting to the line. The Gators were 32 of 40 free throws, as Auburn (12-14, 3-8) continued their ability to foul in all situations. Alex Tyus had 12 points and seven rebounds. Vernon Macklin and Erik Murphy each scored seven points.
Auburn stayed with the Gators up to the opening minutes of the second half. The Gators began to pull away, but Auburn got enough stops late to make the game a bit closer. Auburn did not play bad, but outside of guards DeWayne Reed (22pts) and Tay Waller (13 points), there wasn't enough scoring runs. The Gators played so good though that Werner was being audibly cheered. Of course it happened on a night when blue seats outnumbered fans.
The Gators go to Ole Miss (17-8, 5-6) Saturday. The Rebs lost Thursday night to Vanderbilt, 82-78.