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VOLUME 114 ISSUE 61
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2020 Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida
Not officially associated with the University of Florida
JOHNSON’S CAREER NIGHT
ARKANSAS 59
FLORIDA 73
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Gators stifle Razorbacks By Evan Lepak Sports Writer
Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff
Florida forward Keyontae Johnson scored a career-high 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a win over Arkansas Tuesday night. He did most of his work at the free throw line, hitting 15 of 17 free throws.
SG elections have higher turnout Tuesday had the second-highest irst day attendance in a decade
By Chasity Maynard Alligator Staff Writer
Jeremy O’Brien Murillo stood in Turlington Plaza distributing “I Voted” stickers among a frenzy of volunteers passing out flyers and party platforms on the first day of Student Government elections. The former independent candidate said he organized to have more than 150 people give him their “I Voted” stickers two weeks ago. “I just realized that a lot of these people aren’t even motivated to vote ... they’re just motivated to get these stickers,” the 22-year-old UF political science student said. Voters cast 7,091 ballots Tuesday, making it the second-
highest first day voter turnout in the last decade, SG supervisor of elections Stephanie Siler said. In the Fall, 6,503 students voted in Day One across 11 campus voting locations. Some sample ballots were not loading properly in the morning, but the issue was resolved in less than 15 minutes, Siler said. There are paper sample ballots available at every voter station just in case. This is Gator’s first executive ticket since it was created in the Fall. Some students chose not to vote because they are too busy. Others said they don’t see a point. “I see so much of the SG activities as frivolous and petty,” Andrew Sowinski, a 21-year-old
SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT Gators blowout Dolphins on the road Florida Story description defeated Jacksonville finish with comma, 13-3 on pg# Tuesday in rainy conditions. The two teams play again tonight in Gainesville at 6 p.m., pg. 11
UF computer engineering junior said. He said he sees a lot of SG as “silly,” so he abstains from voting. “They do some good things,” he said. “But so much of what they do is politically and socially motivated that I can’t be bothered to participate.” Students cast their votes for constitutional revisions, candidates for Student Body president, vice president and treasurer and for senators. The Constitution Revision Commission, a group of students, bipartisan SG representatives, faculty and staff, according to chair Danielle Grosse, meets
SEE SG, PAGE 3
Visibly frustrated, Arkansas coach Eric Musselman had some flattering words for UF forward Keyontae Johnson during the postgame press conference. “He’s one of the best dribble drivers at the four spot in all of college basketball,” he said. Johnson showcased that ability despite Arkansas’ best attempts to stop him, as the sophomore helped realize his opponent’s fears. The game’s leading scorer had a career-high 24 points to go along with 10 rebounds. He went to the line a season-high 17 times and converting 15. Johnson’s efforts, paired with a smothering defensive performance, guided the Gators to a convincing 73-59 home victory on Tuesday night. “When the plays broke down, I just happened to get past the defenders,” Johnson said. “Made the smart decision for my team, getting fouled and hitting free throws.” The Razorbacks (16-10, 4-9 SEC) were atrocious early on offense, and Florida (17-9, 9-4 SEC) took full advantage. An energetic approach on the offensive side of the ball allowed the Gators to build a double-digit lead that lasted for most of the half. Guard Noah Locke continued his blistering shooting stretch from behind the three-point line early against Arkansas. He made his first three attempts from beyond the arc, scoring nine in the first half to lead the team. As a group, Florida started 5 of 7 from deep, shooting with ease against the best three-point defense in the country coming into the game. Arkansas missed 16 of its first 20 shots, and at one point, went over nine minutes without a made basket. As a result, the home team’s lead blossomed into a 30-11 pounding late in the first half.
Why The Alligator didn’t endorse an SG party The Alligator’s Editorial Board explains, pg. 5
That’s when the momentum shifted like a California fault line. Arkansas closed the gap to seven before halftime, going on a 14-4 run to make it 33-26 at the break. Despite the comeback, UF held the Razorbacks to just 32 percent shooting overall, including 1 of 9 from the three-point line. In the second half, they inched closer. Arkansas stuck with the blueprint that gave them success late in the first, crawling to within two after star guard Mason Jones’ fast start to the second half. The team’s leading scorer had 13 in the last 20 minutes. He finished with 21 to lead all Arkansas scorers. The three-pointer that gave it success stopped falling for UF, but the team adjusted and manufactured points in other ways. Driving to the basket became an emphasis, and the Gators gave an undersized Razorbacks team all kinds of headaches inside the three-point line. “We got some stops down the stretch and got to the rim,” coach Mike White said. “I thought that was the difference in the game... Andrew (Nembhard) getting to the rim a couple times and Keyontae (Johnson) getting to the foul line.” Florida scored 18 points in the paint over the duration of the second half led by Johnson and Nembhard. The two combined for 30 of the team’s 40 points in the, shooting 7 of 9. When the game was close, Florida needed a basket and Nembhard found space in the paint, converting all five of his field goal attempts in and around the colored area in the second half. He finished the game with 17 points and four assists. “We got to get that level of play all the time from Andrew,” White said. “He’s a super laid back guy... when he plays likes a pitbull, he’s really, really good.” @evanmplepak elepak@alligator.org
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You don’t need an app for this Starbucks reward If you vote in the SG election today, you’ll get a Starbucks voucher, pg. 6
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