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Murphy helps Florida dump LSU

Jan 22, 2012 - 4:33 AM Gainesville, FL (Sports Network) - Erik Murphy led five players in double digits with 15 points as No. 17 Florida downed LSU, 76-64, at O'Connell Center.

Erving Walker tallied 12 points for the Gators (15-4, 3-1 SEC), who got 11 points apiece from Kenny Boynton, Bradley Beal and Mike Rosario. Beal was tops on Florida -- which won its third straight game -- with eight rebounds.

"We can do a lot of different things with each particular lineup, " Murphy said. "We have a lot of options on a nightly basis. If someone is off, someone else will fill in. Everybody on our team can score."

Justin Hamilton poured in a game high 27 points with eight rebounds for the Tigers (12-7, 2-3). Anthony Hickey totaled 10 points in defeat.

Florida came out strong in the second half, nursing its double-digit margin. Rosario's trey opened up a 15-point bulge at 45-30, then after a Ralston Turner bucket, Scottie Wilbekin's triple made it a 16-point spread on the next possession.

Anthony Hickey's shot from long distance pulled LSU to 58-50 with under eight minutes remaining, but a quick Gator burst pushed the lead back into double digits.

Hamilton's jumper with 3:24 showing again pulled the Tigers within eight, at 68-60, but Walker scored five straight points -- the last a trey with 2:29 to go -- for a 73-60 advantage that wrapped up the victory.

"We're happy that we competed but we had some shots that didn't go down for us in the second half," LSU head coach Trent Johnson lamented. "We have to tip a hat to them. They're explosive, they're skilled and the guy who's running the show is probably one of the best coaches in the country."

LSU scored the game's first five points and led 10-4 before Florida countered with a 16-4 surge for a 20-14 edge after Boynton completed a three-point play.

Beal's two free throws extended the margin to 27-18, and a Boynton jumper boosted the Gators to a 10-point lead with 4:01 to play before intermission.

Beal hit a jumper to send the hosts to halftime with a 38-26 edge.

Game Notes

Florida improved to 10-0 at home this year and have won 16 straight home games overall...Walker moved into seventh place on the all-time scoring list with 1,575 points...The Gators shot an impressive 56.3 percent from the floor and held the Tigers to 44.4 percent...The hosts also claimed a 24-10 edge in bench scoring.