LSU shoots down Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jarell Martin registered a SEC career-high 22 points, and was one of four players to pump in double figures as the LSU men’s basketball team used an effective and efficient effort in all phases to secure a 79-61 victory over Florida on Tuesday evening at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

The 18-point win for LSU (14-4, 3-2 SEC) was its largest margin of victory over the Gators (10-8, 3-2 SEC) in Gainesville since a 70-50 decision on Feb. 5, 1992 and ended UF’s 20-game SEC home winning streak which dated back to March 4, 2012. It also equaled LSU’s biggest road win during the Johnny Jones era, the Tigers picked up a 64-46 win at South Carolina on Feb. 14, 2013.

LSU was 27-for-52 from the floor and dished out 17 assists on its 27 field goals. The Tigers also were a crisp 8-of-13 from three-point territory and converted on 17-of-18 at the free throw line.

For Martin, it marked the sixth time he eclipsed the 20-point barrier on the season. He was 7-of-15 shooting and converted on seven of his eight free throws attempts. Martin added eight rebounds and two assists over his 39 minutes of action.

Tim Quarterman racked up 13 of his 15 points during the second half. He also equaled a season-high with eight assists coupled with five rebounds. Quarterman has reached double figures in five of her last seven outings.

Keith Hornsby registered 15 points aided by a trio of three-pointers, while Jordan Mickey turned in his 10th double-double of the season with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Jalyn Patterson secured six points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench.

The Gators were led by Dorian Finney-Smith and Alex Murphy who tallied 10 points each. Finney-Smith, who entered the game as Florida’s leading scorer, was bottled up for a 4-for-13 shooting effort.

After seven ties and three lead changes during the opening 17 minutes, LSU reeled off the last five points of the stanza courtesy of a pair of Martin free throws and a Hornsby trey to close half to take a 37-32 advantage into the locker room.

Ahead 52-47 at the 12:12 mark of the second half, LSU put together a 14-2 run to take control of the contest. Hornsby and Patterson dialed up three-pointers 61 seconds apart to ignite the spurt and push the Tigers ahead 58-47 with 10:44 left.

Martin added pair of free throws followed by a thunderous two-handed dunk off a Quarterman bounce pass in transition. Quarterman capped the flurry with a layup and midrange jumper to make it 66-49 with 8:11 remaining.

The Gators drew back within 66-56 after seven straight points. However, Martin answered with a tipin coupled with a Quarterman trey from the left wing to extend LSU’s lead back to 15 points, 71-56, with 4:31 to go.

LSU wraps up its two-game road swing Saturday at Vanderbilt. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m. CT from Memorial Gym. The game will be televised by ESPNU along with www.WatchESPN.com and the Watch ESPN app.