New Hampshire N. Hampshire/Florida Florida Men's College Basketball recap on ESPN

Brett Nelson scored a career-high 26 points and the Gators (No. 7 ESPN/USA Today, No. 5 AP) won their school-record 22nd straight home nonconference game, a 102-54 victory over New Hampshire on Saturday.

"It was just one of those nights," said Nelson, who was 7-for-11 from 3-point range. "I knew, from watching film, that we were going to get a lot of open 3-point shots. We just had to shoot with confidence and that's what we did."

Florida was 15-for-32 from 3-point range, setting season-highs in 3-pointers made and attempted.

Florida (10-1) is off until it opens Southeastern Conference play Jan. 7 at South Carolina. The Gators have won their past seven games, all against nonconference foes, by an average of 36 points.

"As a coaching staff, we need to sit down and map out where we are at after 11 games," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "I was pleased with the way our guys played. We subbed some guys and they stepped up and played well."

Six players, including reserves Matt Bonner and Orien Greene with 13 points each, scored in double figures for Florida, which had 21 straight nonconference wins at home from 1983-88. The Gators have won 13 consecutive home games overall.

"This is a game I look forward to," said Bonner, who is from Concord, N.H. "It felt good to play well against them, and sent back positive thoughts about us."

Florida guard Teddy Dupay missed the game because of right knee tendinitis. Dupay, who is averaging 14.8 points, is expected to ready for the South Carolina game.

"He could have played," Donovan said. "It's a pretty painful thing for Teddy, but I don't think it's a severe thing where he can't play right now."

Austin Ganly had 12 points for New Hampshire (2-8), which was coming off a 64-54 loss Thursday to Holy Cross.

"I'm going to take the positives," New Hampshire coach Phil Rowe said. "It's worthwhile doing this so our kids can see their growth over a period of time."

Florida, which lead 48-27 at halftime, broke the game open with a 32-2 run in the second half.

Allen Gould had five points and Ganly hit a 3-pointer as New Hampshire outscored Florida 8-5 during the opening five minutes of the second half to get within 53-35.

Nelson and Bonner each had three 3-pointers during the ensuing 32-2 run as the Gators went ahead 85-37 with nine minutes remaining.

Bonell Colas' two free throws made it 100-52 with 1:53 left, giving Florida a school-record fifth game of 100 points or more this season. The Gators had four such games during the 1986-87 season

Ganly tied it 8-8 with a 3-pointer two minutes into the game.

New Hampshire was then held scoreless for almost six minutes, but Florida couldn't fully capitalize scoring just eight points for a 16-8 lead with 12:30 left.

It was the second meeting between the schools. Florida set a school-record for points scored in a 131-72 win on Nov. 29, 1999.

"It's our second trip to Gainesville, and we were better," Rowe said. "We came down here to show our kids what it is all about to play at that level."

ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard

New Hampshire Clubhouse

Florida Clubhouse