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Calathes, Florida slip past Washington in CBE Classic

Nov 26, 2008 - 7:35 AM KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Nick Calathes scored 21 points and handed out eight assists as No. 18 Florida overcame a late charge by Washington to post an 86-84 victory in Tuesday's third-place game of the CBE Classic.

The Gators (4-1) had an 81-71 advantage after Calathes made a pair of free throws with 4:25 remaining. Yet, the Huskies put together a 10-0 run, knotting the game at 81-81 on two from the line by Jon Brockman with 1:23 left.

Freshman Isaiah Thomas scored six of his 17 points during the run. He also had nine assists.

Walter Hodge ended Florida's drought with a 3-pointer 22 seconds later, and Calathes and freshman Allan Chaney both split a pair of free throws to make it 86-83 with four seconds left.

Thomas was then intentionally put on the line instead being able to rush the ball up the court for a shot. The freshman made his first free throw before missing the second so that the Huskies could try to get an offensive rebound.

Brockman grabbed the ball near the left corner, but could not get off a quality shot between two defenders, coming up short as the buzzer sounded.

"I thought (the last shot) was going in, but it came up a little short," Brockman said.

"No, I don't (practice missing free throws)," Thomas said. "It was hard. I had to miss it to the left so Brockman could get it. He got it, but it was just a little too deep."

For the second straight game, Florida had an impressive offensive effort, shooting 52 percent (33-of-63) from the field while getting five players in double figures.

The Gators shot 48 percent (34-of-71) in scoring 83 points in a loss to Syracuse on Monday.

Chaney and Dan Werner scored 13 points each and freshman Erving Walker added 12 for Florida, which closed the first half with a 10-2 run to lead 42-37 at intermission.

It was the second straight defeat for Washington (2-3), which was overwhelmed by Kansas, 73-54, on Monday.

"This one hurts a little more (than Kansas)," Thomas said. "It came down to the clutch and we had the game. I'm proud of my teammates. We showed that we could come together as one."

Brockman ended up with 22 points and 11 rebounds, his third double-double in five games.

Justin Dentmon also had 17 points for the Huskies, who lost despite going 59 percent (33-of-56) from the field, including 7-of-13 on 3-pointers.