• Recap
• Bleachers

Florida opens season with 74-46 win over Stetson

Nov 15, 2009 - 11:15 PM By MARK LONG AP Sports Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla.(AP) -- Chandler Parsons scored 14 points, Alex Tyus added 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Florida opened the season with a 74-46 victory over Stetson on Sunday.

The Gators used a 31-4 run in the first half to pull away. The only suspense came in the final minute, after Florida missed its first 12 shots from 3-point range.

Florida had made at least one 3-pointer in a school-record 579 games. The streak dated to Jan. 11, 1992. Parsons, a career 31-percent shooter from behind the arc, kept it alive with a 22-footer with 31.2 seconds remaining.

Tyshawn Patterson led the Hatters (1-1) with 19 points. A.J. Smith added 12.

The Gators held Stetson to 29 percent shooting (16-for-56) and 2 of 17 from 3-point range. They won their 19th consecutive opener, including all 14 under coach Billy Donovan.