Kunze-IT » blunt Saffiedines considerable kickboxing skills.Tonight

ATLANTA -- Even facing its biggest deficit since November, No. 1 Florida never panicked. The Gators know their defence will never let them down. Swarming relentlessly in the second half, Florida rallied from 10 points down and defeated Tennessee 56-49 in the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament Saturday. Patric Young scored 16 points and Scottie Wilbekin added 14, but this victory had nothing to do with what happened at the offensive end. It was all about what Tennessee faced when it had the ball after halftime. The Volunteers made only 5-of-20 shots with 11 turnovers, and things really got grim down the stretch as they were stifled time and time again -- making just one of their last 11 attempts from the field, while turning it over five times. Everywhere they turned, it seemed like a Florida player was waiting, ready to take a swipe at the ball. "We didnt really switch anything up," Wilbekin said. "We just tried to go into an extra gear." Florida (31-2) extended its school-record winning streak to 25 in a row after being down 35-28 at halftime. "This group has a resiliency and a competitiveness," coach Billy Donovan said. "We have our faults. Were not perfect. But Ive never walked off the court saying, Wow, these guys didnt get after it, they didnt compete." Tennessee (21-12) had a chance to post its most impressive win of the season. Now, its post-season fate rests in the hands of the NCAA selection committee. The Gators, improving to 20-0 against SEC opponents, advanced to face Kentucky in the championship game Sunday. The second-seeded Wildcats defeated Georgia 70-58, but have lost twice to Florida this season. "Ive seen a lot of teams. Ive watched a lot of teams from afar," Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin said of the Gators. "Theyre one of the best defensive teams in the country." Jordan McRae led Tennessee with 15 points, while Jarnell Stokes had 13 points and seven rebounds. The final minutes were marred by a number of questionable calls, including a technical on Tennessees Jeronne Maymon for disputing that he threw a shoulder. It was the fifth foul on Maymon, knocking him out of the game with more than 4 1-2 minutes remaining after he scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Then with just over a minute left, there was a long break while the officials went to the replay to rule on a potential flagrant foul against Wilbekin, even though it wasnt even clear if he touched a Tennessee player while swinging his arms high. "I think my elbow nicked his chin a little bit," Wilbekin said with a slight grin. "He did a good job of selling it." It didnt matter at the end. The Gators defeated Tennessee for the third time this season, each one following the same plot line. The Vols held their own in the first half, only to get dominated by Florida in the second. The cumulative second-half score in the three games was Florida 103, Tennessee 60 -- including a 28-14 edge on Saturday. Despite the loss, the Vols are confident of their NCAA chances based on one of the nations toughest schedules and an RPI in the low 40s. "I feel like the statement was already made before coming into this game," Stokes said. In the first half, at least, Tennessee certainly looked worthy of a spot in the 68-team field. The Vols were the first team to lead Florida by double digits since the first of its two losses, at Wisconsin on Nov. 12. Wilbekin cut the deficit to seven at halftime with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, but Florida still went to the locker room facing its second-biggest deficit of the season at the midway point. Not that the Gators were ruffled by being in that position -- it was the eighth time they had trailed at the break, and theyve now come back to win six in a row. "I told the guys at halftime, Weve been in this situation before," Wilbekin said. "We know what it takes to win in the second half." Tennessee should know. The Vols stayed right with Florida before halftime in both regular-season meetings, only to get blown out 67-41 in Gainesville and fall 67-58 in Knoxville. Wilbekin, Floridas senior leader, didnt have his usual stellar game though he did go 3 of 7 from 3-point range. He was definitely off in the first half, throwing up an airball on an off-balance shot from the baseline and barely grazing the rim with another attempt. But his defence was there all the way. JaWhaun Bentley Jersey . The South Africa international, who rejoined the club last month on loan from Tottenham, opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a powerful shot into the roof of the net. Irving Fryar Jersey . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted on Monday that Hemsky will be going to market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. http://www.officialnewenglandpatriotsfootball.com/authentic-malcom-brown-jersey-womens . -- Phil Hughes ended a personal losing streak that dated to last July, pitching into the seventh inning Sunday and helping the Twins top the Kansas City Royals 8-3 to avoid a three-game sweep. Antonio Garcia Jersey . Nikolai Khabibulin was yanked in the second period, and the Ottawa Senators looked ready to put away a big road win. Montee Ball Jersey .com) - SirDominic Pointer posted career highs of 24 points and seven steals to lead No.HALIFAX - Rory (Ares) MacDonald has shown his championship credentials. Now he stands in the UFC wings, waiting for his title shot.The 25-year-old welterweight took full advantage of his first UFC main event Saturday night, stopping former Strikeforce champion Tarec (Sponge) Saffiedine at 1:28 of the third round of a televised Fight Night card.It was a clinical finish after two strategic rounds that saw bursts of activity from the two fighters.MacDonald, ranked No. 2 among welterweight contenders, clipped Saffiedine with a right to the back of the head and then felled him with a powerful left uppercut. A turtled Saffiedine was finished on the ground by seven piston-like punches, with referee Herb Dean stepping in to save the American-based Belgian.Saffiedine, ranked ninth, was left dazed and bloody on the canvas.MacDonald (18-2) used his size and reach — and ability to control distance — to blunt Saffiedines considerable kickboxing skills.Tonight I felt at my best, he said after the fight, clad in a stylish suit and his face largely unmarked. I was really flowing out there.As he did in previous 2014 wins over Tyron (The Chosen One) Woodley and Demian Maia, MacDonald negated his opponents skills. Saffiedine, a dangerous fighter, did not look threatening.Man, I dont really have an excuse, said Saffiedine (15-4). I came prepared, I had a good camp. I was mentally ready, physically ready.Now MacDonald awaits UFC 181 on Dec. 6, when champion Johny Hendricks defends his title against No. 1 contender (Ruthless) Robbie Lawler.Despite losing via split decision to Lawler at UFC 167, MacDonald says he doesnt care who wins in December.I just want to fight the best man. Whoever, he said.Whoever it is, MacDonald — a native of Kelowna, B.C., who fights out of Montreal — seems the logical choice to face the winner.I really dont see anyone else, he said. Ive beat some really good guys this year. ... Hopefully the UFC takes notice and puts me in that title fight so I can bring it back here to Canada.I feel like the natural step is the title shot, he added. The 170-pound title used to belong to Georgges St-Pierre, who trains with MacDonald in Montreal.ddddddddddddSt-Pierre vacated the title last December, saying he needed time away from the sport. He has yet to decide whether he will return.While only 25, MacDonald has been fighting in the UFC since January 2010. Now 9-2 in the UFC, he has had to wait his turn.Overshadowed by the iconic GSP, it took him 11 fights to get a main event. A fighter who rarely betrays his emotions, he has taken a zen approach to MMA.I wait and see how everything turns out, he said. Ill reap the benefits later, win or lose.While not one to wear his heart on his sleeve, MacDonald banged his chest when the fight ended Saturday and finally flashed a smile when his hand was raised.Should MacDonald continue his winning ways, one wonders what might happen if St-Pierre decides to come back. UFC boss Dana White has already said GSP could return to a title bout.The two teammates said in the past they wouldnt fight.But while GSP returns from knee surgery sustained training during his hiatus, MacDonald keeps getting better. Against Saffiedine, MacDonald landed 47 of 111 attempted significant strikes for a success rate of 42 per cent (he averages 43 per cent), according to FightMetric. Saffiedine was good on 42 of 136, (30 per cent, well below his average of 50.7 in Strikeforce, fourth-highest in the organizations history).The six-foot MacDonald is a big, well-rounded welterweight. He is both hard to take down and good at taking his opponents down.MacDonald comes across as somewhat cold because of his single-minded focus when it comes to fighting. But Saturday night he paid tribute to his fan support both in Canada and beyond the borders.Its a huge thing for me and all fighters to be recognized for our hard work and what we put on the line when we step in there, he said. It takes some sort of bravery.Its nice when people acknowledge that and are appreciative of what we do.The soldout crowd of 10,782 at the Scotiabank Centre deserved kudos for their enthusiasm and stamina. 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