Florida shuts down Vanderbilt in second half, wins 61-42

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Backup guard Tyree Appleby was the game's only double-digit scorer with 11 points and Florida owned the second half in a 61-42 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday.

After leading 31-28 at halftime, Florida scored the first 12 points of the second half and Vanderbilt never recovered. The Commodores scored 14 points after halftime, shooting 13.6% (3 for 22) and missing all nine of their 3-point tries. Vanderbilt made just 8 of 15 foul shots in the second half.

Appleby made 3 of 9 3-pointers for the Gators (12-6, 3-3 SEC). Jason Jitobah had eight points and 10 rebounds for Florida and Brandon McKissic added nine points and four assists.

SEC leading scorer Scotty Pippen Jr. (18.8 points per game) of Vanderbilt missed all seven of his shots of the second half, was 1-of-10 overall and scored six points. He had three fouls and played just 21 minutes.

Trey Thomas and Jordan Wright led Vanderbilt (10-8, 2-4) with seven points each.

Vanderbilt shot 29% overall, made 4 of 23 3-pointers and was 12 of 23 from the free-throw line.

Florida shot 38% overall, made 9 of 36 3-pointers and was 6 of 13 from the free-throw line.

Florida is 2-0 without All-SEC center Colin Castleton who suffered what has been called a ‘significant’ shoulder injury in practice on Tuesday. He is the Gators’ leading scorer (15.4 ppg) and rebounder (9.1 rpg).

Both teams are on the road for their next game. Florida plays at Mississippi on Monday and Vanderbilt faces South Carolina on Wednesday.

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