Johnson scores 19, leads Florida over Providence 83-51

NEW YORK (AP) — Keyontae Johnson scored 19 points to lead Florida to a 83-51 rout of Providence on Tuesday night in the second game of the inaugural Air Force Reserve Basketball Hall of Fame Invitational.

Johnson was one of four Gators (7-3) to finish in double-figure scoring. 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.

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 four minutes and 16 seconds early in the second half, Florida scored nine points, six of which came on a dunk and two layups.

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.

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

UP NEXT

FLORIDA: Hosts Utah State Saturday.

PROVIDENCE: Hosts Texas Saturday.