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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) -- Purdue's senior-laden team gave young
Florida a pretty good thrashing, and Gators coach Billy Donovan
turned the loss into a lesson.
The Boilermakers (No. 21 ESPN/USA Today, No. 22 AP) , with four senior starters, used
balanced scoring, excellent defense and the constant hustle of
Brian Cardinal to beat the Gators (No. 5 ESPN/USA Today, No. 6 AP), who have 11 freshmen and sophomores on the roster, 79-68 Tuesday night in the semifinals of the Maui Invitational.
|  | | Purdue's Brian Cardinal played tough defense against the Gators. |
"We played basketball the right way to play it and it's
rewarding to see kids work hard and be rewarded," Purdue coach
Gene Keady said. "We played unselfish, that's the biggest thing."
The Boilermakers (2-0) will face North Carolina (No. 6 ESPN/USA Today, No. 4 AP), which beat Georgetown 85-79, in Wednesday's championship game. It will be
the third straight year the teams have met in a preseason
tournament. They played in the final of the Great Alaska Shootout
two years ago and the semifinals of the Preseason NIT last year
with the Tar Heels winning both.
Florida coach Billy Donovan sat his point guards, sophomore
Teddy Dupay and freshman Brett Nelson, for almost all of the second
half.
"We're going to find somebody to run our basketball team and
I'll go somewhere else if I have to," Donovan said, referring to
quick shots and a lack of passes by the two who combined for one
assist and 15 shots. "They need to start sitting because I'm done
talking."
Greg McQuay and Jaraan Cornell each had 19 points and Mike
Robinson added 18 for Purdue, which beat Chaminade 96-78 in the
opening round. The Boilermakers held Florida, which squeaked by
Utah State 60-58 in the first round, to 41 percent shooting,
including 3-for-17 from 3-point range. The Gators were 8-for-32
from beyond the arc in the opener.
But it was Cardinal, the senior forward who unofficially leads
the nation in floor burns, charges taken and hustle plays, who
sparked the Boilermakers and had the sellout crowd of 2,400 at the
Lahaina Civic Center cheering.
"He plays hard and I couldn't be prouder," Keady said. "He's
become a great player with a nose for the ball."
Mike Miller made one free throw with 16:52 to play to get the
Gators within 45-39. The Boilermakers then went on a 9-0 run and
the final points came on one of those plays that will be part of
every weekend highlight package.
Cardinal grabbed a miss of a shot by Florida's Udonis Haslen,
fell to his knees, took the ball over his head and launched a long
pass that found McQuay in full stride and he took one dribble and
dunked for a 54-39 lead with 13:45 left.
"That's not a regular play," Cardinal said, almost embarrassed
when the assist was brought up. "It just happened."
Cardinal, who finished with nine points, 11 rebounds and five
assists, wasn't done with his on-the-floor play. He grabbed a
rebound about three minutes later and while rolling in a pile of
players had the presence of mind to call a timeout. He later got
off a shot as he was falling, was fouled and made the free throws
for a 60-45 lead with 9:11 left.
Florida managed just one field goal in a 4:17 stretch during
which Cardinal made those last two plays.
"He's terrific," Donovan said. "He knows his role and he goes
after every loose ball. He plays the game the way it should be
played."
Miller led Florida with 16 points, while Donnell Harvey had 10.
"We have top five talent but we definitely are not a top five
team, not even a top 20 team right now," Donovan said. "I thought
they wore us down with their intelligence. We desperately need to
practice right now."
Cardinal sounded pleased with the team effort.
"We got after them the first 10 minutes, playing their style,"
he said. "Then we really got after them with our halfcourt
defense. That was the key, wearing them down with our defense."
The only fault for the Boilermakers was their free throw
shooting as they finished 14-for-30 from the line.
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ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Florida Clubhouse
Purdue Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Brian Cardinal fires the ball down court to Greg McQuay for the easy slam.
avi: 725 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Mike Miller takes it to the hole.
avi: 632 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Mike Robinson spins baseline for the hoop and the harm.
avi: 1115 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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