Florida Gators
Montana State
Men's Hoops Dominates Opener 112-73
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Christian Drejer recorded his first career double-double with 19 points and 11 assists to lead the No. 8 Gators to a convincing 112-73 win in their season opener versus Montana State. Florida's 112 points established a school opening day record. Six Gators scored in double figures and the team shot 66 percent from the floor.
"Christian Drejer's passing becomes contagious and guys start playing that way," said head coach Billy Donovan. "He enjoys passing the ball and has fun playing that way. If you look at our starters, just the shooting percentages, there's a comfort level with those guys at where they're playing."
After trailing 7-6 in the first minutes of the game, the Gators surged with a 17-0 run and led by 22 at intermission, holding the Bobcats to only 32 points in the half. Drejer and Matt Walsh led the scorers at the half with 14 and 11 points respectively.
"What really impressed me was that [Florida] really shot the ball well," said Montana State head coach Mick Durham. "It's one of those games your felt like every time [Florida] shot the ball, it was going in. It's one of those nights where a lot of guys were feeling it."
Freshman Chris Richard pulled down seven rebounds in the second half and led the team with eight on the night. The team out-rebounded the Bobcats 47-17. The Gators finished the game with 31 assists, the second highest total ever by a Billy Donovan coached team.
Florida is now 61-24 all-time on opening day and 47-7 when opening the season at home. The Gators have now won 13 straight openers dating back to a 70-61 loss to South Florida in 1990. They are now 8-0 under head coach Billy Donovan.
The Gators next travel to Springfield, Mass. to face the No. 3 Arizona Wildcats in the MassMutual Classic.
