GAINESVILLE, Fla., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Freshman Anthony Roberson scored 22 points and David Lee added 20 Wednesday night to lead No. 5 Florida to its 12th straight victory, 87-75 over Vanderbilt in a Southeastern Conference contest.
Roberson and Lee each hit eight of nine from the field as part of a Gators' attack that shot 64.5 percent. Roberson made all four of his three-point attempts as Florida (16-2, 5-0 SEC East) connected on 10 of 16 attempts from beyond the arc.
Florida is off to its best start ever, topping the 15-3 mark it attained last season as well as in 2000-01 and 1994-95. The Gators matched the 5-0 conference start accomplished in 1994 and 1961.
Florida has had struggles with Vanderbilt (8-8, 1-4) under Billy Donovan and defeated the Commodores for the seventh time in 13 tries under its coach. The Gators have won five of the last six games in the series.
The Gators led by as many as 21 points, but Matt Freije scored half of his 22 points during a late 16-3 run as the Commodores got as close as 78-70 with 2:28 left.
Jason Holwerda added 19 points for Vanderbilt, including 15 in the first half, during which he hit six of seven from the field.
