Murphy, Gators thump Badgers

Thursday, November 15, 2012

— Erik Murphy tied a careerhigh with 24 points just days after dealing with an illness, and No. 10 Florida beat 22ndranked Wisconsin 74-56 on Wednesday night.

Murphy made all 10 of his shots, including two threepointers, as the short-handed Gators enjoyed a lead of greater than 10 points for most of the game. Murphy also had seven rebounds.

Mike Rosario added 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists for Florida (2-0), and Kenny Boynton added 10 points.

Sam Dekker and Jared Berggren had 11 points apiece for Wisconsin.

The Badgers (1-1), meanwhile, missed their first six shots — including five threepointers.

NO. 15 CREIGHTON 77,

ALA.-BIRMINGHAM 60

OMAHA, Neb. — Josh Jones scored all 18 of his points in the second half to compensate for Doug McDermott’s quiet night in Creighton’s comeback victory over Alabama-Birmingham.

Jones matched his career high with four three-pointers. The backup guard made two during a personal 10-0 run that tied it 45-45 and two more during a 17-0 spurt that helped the Bluejays (2-0) finish off the Blazers (1-1). McDermott, the returning first-team All-American, got into early foul trouble and had five points. Isiah Jones scored 16 points for UAB.

SEC/TOP 25 WOMEN

NO. 10 GEORGIA 66, PRESBYTERIAN 38

ATHENS, Ga. — Jasmine Hassell scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead No. 10 Georgia over Presbyterian. Presbyterian (1-1) was trying to gets its second upset victory in its first season as a certified Division I team. The Blue Hose opened the season with a 49-46 victory at Clemson on Sunday. Freshman Merritt Hempe, who failed to score in the season opener for Georgia (2-0), came off the bench and contributed 11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals, 2 assists and no turnovers. Shonda Burnside led the Blue Hose with eight points. Presbyterian continues a tough three-game opening road trip at No. 3 Duke on Saturday.

Sports, Pages 21 on 11/15/2012