Gator Country

Florida junior forward Alex Tyus shoots a layup during the first half o the Gators' 76-60 win against American University 76-60 on Monday at the O'Connell Center. / Gator Country photo by Casey Brooke Lawson

Junior Alex Tyus had 20 points and nine rebounds, freshman Kenny Boynton added 19 points and Florida snapped a three-game losing streak with a 76-60 victory over American University on Monday night in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

Junior Vernon Macklin finished with a career-high 18 points for the Gators (9-3), who won for the first time since Dec. 4.

Florida had been ranked as high as No. 10, but dropped close games against Syracuse, Richmond and South Alabama.

The Gators rebounded against American, an NCAA tournament team in 2009 that is rebuilding after losing several seniors. The Eagles (2-11) made it close by outscoring Florida in the second half and finishing 10-for-24 from the 3-point line.

UF finished with a season-best eight turnovers and scored 22 points off 18 American turnovers. Florida also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Eagles 41-12.

Nick Henden led American with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Vlad Moldoveanu added 14 points and was 4-for-6 from behind the arc.

The Gators return to action on Wednesday night (Dec. 30) when the host Presbyterian at 7:00 p.m.

Photo Gallery: UF Men’s Basketball vs. American, 12/28/09 (click here to view gallery)

DIRECTORY OF GATOR COUNTRY PHOTO GALLERIES

About the author

jumper42

Casey Brooke Lawson earned a B.S. in journalism from the University of Florida in December 2008. Lawson was born in Sarasota, Fla., but now still resides in Gainesville, Fla. Lawson picked up her first camera before she could walk, and now, 24 years later, she has made a career of her first love. She has been working as a photojournalist for eight years. She began at her high school, Sarasota High School, interned with the Gainesville Sun, Sarasota Herald Tribune, The Independent Florida Alligator and Sports Illustrated. Now, Lawson is a regularly contributing photojournalist for Gator Country. Trained in sports photography by Gator Country's own Tim Casey, sports photojournalism has become one of Lawson's favorite parts of her job.

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