Florida bounces back by trouncing Vermont

GAINESVILLE -- Dorian Finney-Smith scored 20 points, Devin Robinson added 15 and Florida beat Vermont 86-62 Wednesday.

Kasey Hill chipped in 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting for the Gators (4-1), who bounced back from their first loss of the season (against Purdue) by leading start to finish against the Catamounts (2-4).

Vermont whittled a 16-point deficit to 50-44 on Cam Ward's 3-pointer with a little more than 12 minutes remaining, but Florida pulled away thanks to Hill's behind-the-back reverse layup and a barraged of baskets from behind the arc.

Finney-Smith, Hill and Brandone Francis-Ramirez hit consecutive 3-pointers to turn an 11-point lead into a lopsided affair.

The Gators extended their lead to 20 on Robinson's second 3 and coasted from there.

Ward led the Catamounts with 14 points. Ernie Duncan added 13, and Ethan O'Day had 12.

Florida struggled in the first half -- a common occurrence under new coach Mike White -- but wore down Vermont after the break.

The Gators made 19 of 38 shots in the second half and ended up forcing 17 turnovers with their pressing, full-court defense.

Finney-Smith led Florida with three 3s and finished with six rebounds, a career-high six assists and three steals. He also was 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.

John Egbunu had 13 points and seven boards for the Gators, but also had four turnovers. Hill finished with four assists and no turnovers.

TIP-INS

VERMONT -- Wrapped up a three-game road trip. ... Fell to 0-3 all-time against Florida.

FLORIDA -- Went 20-of-28-from the free-throw line. ... Improved to 8-0 all-time against teams currently in the America East Conference. ... Finished 8-of-23 from 3-point range.

UP NEXT

Vermont hosts Marist on Sunday.

Florida hosts Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night.Wednesday's box score Florida 86, Vermont 62

VERMONT (2-4) -- Payen 1-3 0-0 2, Urquhart 1-2 2-2 4, Bell-Haynes 1-8 0-0 2, Ward 5-13 1-2 14, Er. Duncan 3-9 4-4 13, Ev. Duncan 3-7 0-0 8, Wills 1-1 5-6 7, O'Day 5-10 2-2 12, Rohrer 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-54 14-16 62.

FLORIDA (4-1) -- Robinson 5-9 3-4 15, Finney-Smith 6-15 5-5 20, Egbunu 4-6 5-6 13, Hill 6-10 1-2 14, Allen 0-5 0-0 0, Walker 1-5 2-6 4, Francis-Ramirez 1-2 0-0 3, Chiozza 1-4 0-0 2, Hodskins 0-0 0-0 0, Hayes 1-3 2-3 4, Edwards 0-2 0-0 0, Leon 3-4 0-0 7, Rimmer 1-2 2-2 4. Totals 29-67 20-28 86.

Halftime--Florida 34-29. 3-Point Goals--Vermont 8-24 (Ward 3-8, Er. Duncan 3-8, Ev. Duncan 2-6, Bell-Haynes 0-2), Florida 8-23 (Finney-Smith 3-8, Robinson 2-5, Hill 1-1, Leon 1-2, Francis-Ramirez 1-2, Walker 0-1, Edwards 0-1, Allen 0-1, Chiozza 0-2). Fouled Out--None. Rebounds--Vermont 34 (Ward 10), Florida 43 (Robinson 8). Assists--Vermont 13 (Er. Duncan 4), Florida 13 (Finney-Smith 6). Total Fouls--Vermont 24, Florida 16. A--8,003.

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Florida bounces back by trouncing Vermont ."