Barry scores 17, Florida beat Belmont, 1st Ld-Writethru
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Canyon Barry had 17 points and KeVaughn Allen added 14 as Florida beat Belmont 78-61 on Monday night.
After the Gators saw a 20-point first-half lead cut to nine early in the second, Barry had three baskets and hit a pair of free throws during a 16-0 run that put Florida ahead 59-34 with 12 minutes to play.
Florida (4-0) also got 12 points from John Egbunu, while Devin Robinson chipped in with 11.
Evan Bradds scored 17 points for Belmont (1-2), which went 3 for 11 in the first half and 7 for 27 overall from 3-point range. The Bruins had made 25 of 75 from beyond the arc in their first two games.
Florida scored the first 15 points and took a 38-26 halftime lead. The Gators held Belmont without a 3 for the initial 12 minutes but the Bruins hit three from long range to close out the half and cut into a 24-4 deficit.
BIG PICTURE
Belmont: The Bruins shot 22 percent (9 for 41) in their 80-66 loss to Vanderbilt, while shooting 47.1 percent (16 for 34) in a 90-69 win over Western Kentucky.
Florida: Coach Mike White's squad continued its successful swing around Florida with the O'Connell Center in Gainesville nearing completion of a $64.5 million renovation. The Gators previously won a pair of games in Jacksonville and another in Lakeland.
UP NEXT
Belmont: The Bruins will see how they matchup against a Top-25 team Friday night at No. 23 Rhode Island.
Florida: The Gators have a chance to further impress the AP Top-25 voters this week at the AdvoCare Invitational in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. In matchup of teams receiving votes in this week poll, Florida opens play Thursday night against Seton Hall. With a victory, the Gators could meet No. 11 Gonzaga in the semifinals Friday night.
