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After pulling to within eight, the Gators cut it to nine three more times, but the final 1:58 featured seven trips to the foul line for Tennessee. The Vols went 8-of-14 in free throws down the stretch.
In the first half, Florida was leading 17-16 with 13:48 left after Horford scored, and Bradshaw’s basket over Noah sparked the big run. When Duke Crews scored with 8:05 left to end it, the Vols were up 33-17.
Tennessee got many baskets in the first half by drawing Florida’s defense outside and driving in the paint.
Noah had another off night, scoring all eight of his points in Florida’s late run. He scored 10 points in the previous two games.
“I feel like we’re playing hard, but it’s just not happening,” Noah said.
The Gators’ leading scorer, Taurean Green, was held to nine points — four below his average.
Appropriately, the Vols honored their lone senior, Bradshaw, before the final home game. Bradshaw made go-ahead layups in each of the Vols’ wins last year over Florida.
Bradshaw had a steal with 1:33 and was fouled by Lee Humphrey to thwart Florida’s scheme at the end to stop the clock and try to get the lead down. Bradshaw made both free throws. He had gone 12 games without scoring in double digits.
The Gators had an easier time against Tennessee in Gainesville, winning 94-78, while Tennessee was playing without Lofton because he had a sprained right ankle.
The Vols finished undefeated at home for the first time since 1975-76, and a near-capacity crowd of 24,047 saw the home finale.
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