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 Tyler Smith and JaJuan Smith each had 23 points and Duke Crews added 10 for the Vols (20-2, 7-1 Southeastern Conference), who are off to their best start in history.
Florida (18-5, 5-3) led by as many as 13 points during the first half and entered the second with a 48-44 lead. Alex Tyler's layup with 17:59 to go increased the Gators' lead to 52-46.
Tennessee went ahead after Tyler Smith spun around to hit a jumper and Lofton followed with a 3 with 16:02 to go.
Tennessee, which normally makes only 64.6 percent of its free throws, took advantage of the Gators' foul trouble, making 21 of 30 (70 percent) to boost their lead.
The Vols also made 13 from behind the arc, including Lofton's six and another six from Smith.
Tennessee, which averages 84.5 points per game, is only the fifth team to reach their average against Florida.
The Gators had no problems scoring in the first half as they jumped out to a 16-3 lead four minutes into the game as Tennessee missed five straight shots.
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The Vols went on an 8-0 run, then Tennessee and Florida traded baskets -- four straight 3-pointers for the Vols and field goals for the Gators
-- to tie the game at 30 with 10:12 to go in the first half.
Marreese Speights led Florida with 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Dan Werner added 18 points, Nick Calathes had 15 and Jai Lucas had 10.
The Gators have dropped three of their last four road games.
[Associated Press; By BETH RUCKER]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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