NEW YORK, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Justin Hamilton scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half Thursday night as fifth-ranked Florida posted a 72-64 victory over No. 17 Temple in the Coaches vs. Cancer Ikon Classic at Madison Square Garden.
Hamilton capped a 12-2 run with a layup to give the Gators a 33-28 advantage with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.
Florida, which never relinquished the lead thereafter, avenged a 75-54 loss to Temple last year in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and beat the Owls for the first time in five meetings.
Florida matched its biggest lead, 65-52, on Brett Nelson's jumper with 5:49 remaining.
Temple closed to 70-64 on a 3-pointer from Lynn Greer with 25 seconds left. But following a timeout, a wide-open Udonis Haslem dunked off the in-bounds pass to clinch the victory.
David Lee scored eight of his 15 points in the second half for Florida. Greer had 15 and Kevin Lyde contributed 12 for the Owls, who lost to Michigan State in the South Region finals last season.
Florida will meet the winner of Thursday's second game between Maryland and Arizona in the championship contest on Friday. Temple will play the loser for third place.
