Box Score

Florida got out to a blazing start and never looked back, topping Butler, 77-43, Saturday afternoon in Gainesville, Fla.

It was the second match-up between the teams this season, as Butler took a 61-54 victory over the Gators Nov. 23 as part of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

The Bulldogs finish the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 9-4 record; Florida improves to 8-4 on the season.

In getting behind 21-0 in the first half, the Bulldogs missed their first 11 attempts from the field. Jordan Tucker's three-pointer nine minutes into the contest put Butler on the scoreboard for the first time. Conversely, Florida opened the game by making 10 of their first 13 shots.

Florida shot 54 percent in the contest, including a sizzling 64 percent in the first half. Butler shot 31 percent. The Gators also controlled the glass, holding a 46-18 edge.

Kamar Baldwin led Butler with nine points; Tucker added eight. Five Florida players registered double figures.

The Bulldogs open BIG EAST play Wednesday night, hosting Georgetown for a 7 p.m. tip. For both of Butler's opening BIG EAST home contests (also including Saturday, Jan. 5 with Creighton), only a limited number of tickets remain.