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Johnell Smith scored a game-high 28 points as New Orleans defeated Loyola of New Orleans 75-55 on Saturday night.

Smith was 12-of-20 from the floor and hit 4-of-6 3-pointers. Bo McCalebb scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds for New Orleans (5-3).

James Olivard led Loyola (3-9) with 12 points hitting 4-of-9 shots from the field and 4-of-4 from the line. James Bunn scored 10 and Jonathan Hernandez added nine points.


New Orleans led 38-45 at the halftime making 15-of-32 shots from the field. For the game, New Orleans made 29-of-62 shots from the floor and 8-of-22 3-pointers.

Loyola made 22-of-50 of its shots from the floor and 6-of-16 3-pointers for the game.

New Orleans outrebounded Loyola 36-34 while both teams had 15 assists. Loyola turned the ball over 21 times to New Orleans' 12.

James Bunn led Loyola in rebounds with seven and Ben Elias led New Orleans with seven rebounds.

The shots were falling, the opponent was overmatched, and No. 13 Florida looked as good as ever.

Anthony Roberson scored 22 points Saturday to lift the Gators to a 109-63 victory over Eastern Kentucky, their last laugher before the tough tests begin.

``We came out tonight and played the way I hoped we'd play all the time,'' Florida coach Billy Donovan said.

If they could, the Gators would be favorites to win the national title.

Of course, no team can keep up the kind of shooting display the Gators (8-2) put on in their final tuneup before things get significantly more difficult -- beginning next Saturday against Florida State (10-1), and continuing Jan. 7 when the Southeastern Conference schedule begins.

Florida shot 64.6 percent to finish above 60 percent for the third time this season, and second this week.

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