Chase Utley made a questionable decision

GAINESVILLE, Fla. Zach Eflin Jersey . -- No. 3 Florida has won with defence most of the season. The Gators showed Saturday they can pull out games on the other end of the court, too. Scottie Wilbekin scored 16 points, leading all five starters in double figures, and Florida beat Alabama 78-69 for its 15th straight victory. The Gators handled the Tide for the second time in 16 days and extended a school record for consecutive home wins to 29. "If you play defence the way we did tonight, youre not going to win," coach Billy Donovan said. "Thank God we had some offence today that helped us." Florida (21-2, 10-0 Southeastern Conference) shot a blistering 62 per cent from the field and finished with a season-high 22 assists. The Gators trailed by seven late in the first half before taking over the game in the paint and in transition. That opened things up on the perimeter for Wilbekin and Michael Frazier II. Wilbekin was 3-for-5 shooting from behind the arc, making all three in the second half. Frazier was 3 for 8 from the 3-point range. Frazier finished with 14 points, joining Wilbekin, Casey Prather (15), Will Yeguete (12) and Patric Young (11) in double figures. It was the first time all five of Floridas starters topped 10 points since Nov. 21 against Middle Tennessee. "We have a balanced team, and anyone can beat you on any given night," Prather said. Prather, the teams leading scorer, failed to reach double figures the last two games while dealing with a sprained left ankle. He returned to form against Alabama even though Donovan wasnt sure he would play a few hours before the tip. Donovan gave Prather the option of playing or resting, and he chose to give it a go. "Its got nothing to do with him not being a tough kid or he cant play through pain," Donovan said. "It gets more into the fact that he doesnt feel confidence-wise that hes capable of doing the things he knows he can do. When he gets to that place, he really gets mentally taken out because he knows he cant do certain things. "When he knows he can do things physically, it adds to his confidence. When he cant move like he wants to move, I think he knows hes putting our team in jeopardy, and that eats him alive and kills him." Trevor Releford led the Tide (9-14, 3-7) with 25 points on 7-for-10 shooting. He was 4 for 6 from behind the 3-point line and perfect on seven free throws. Releford scored 16 points in the first half, carrying Alabama for much of the afternoon. His 3-pointer put the Tide up 28-21, silencing the sold-out OConnell Center. Alabama shot 61 per cent in the opening half and went 5 for 7 from behind the arc, giving the defensive-minded Donovan plenty to talk about at halftime. The Gators responded with an effective press, made 3-pointers and a heavy dose of post play that seemingly wore down the Tide. "Theyre at their best when theyre in transition," Tide coach Anthony Grant said. "From an offensive standpoint, they took us out of some things that we were able to get there in the first half." Florida went on a 25-8 run that turned a deficit into a double-digit lead. The Tide ended up losing its four straight and sixth in the last seven games. "This program cant do anything but go up," Releford said. "Its just a process. Right now were losing a game, but I feel as a team were getting better and Coach is helping us with that." Chris Walker, Floridas highly touted freshman who became eligible this week, played just 4 minutes in his second collegiate game. He finished with four points, two fouls and a rebound. Donovan said he hopes to get Walker more playing time. For as dominant as Florida has been recently, the teams toughest test comes next week. The Gators play at Tennessee on Tuesday night and then at No. 18 Kentucky on Saturday. Those games could go a long way to determining how Florida finishes in the conference and what kind of seed it gets in next months NCAA tournament. "I dont think we played great," Yeguete said. "We got it done, but we didnt play great. We know weve got to do a better job if we want to win in Knoxville on Tuesday." JoJo Romero Jersey . -- Sami Salo joked that as the shootout went on and on, one thing went through his mind: "Youve got to tie up your skates. Dave Hollins Jersey . 1 status and was unable to prevent a late season collapse, James Reimer said he wants to put the past behind him and is looking forward to spending the next two years in a Maple Leaf uniform. https://www.cheapphilliesjerseys.us/2267n-arquimedes-gamboa-jersey-phillies.html . Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday.PHILADELPHIA -- The Braves keep showing they are resilient and powerful. Dan Uggla hit two home runs, including a grand slam in the ninth inning, Monday night that lifted Atlanta to a wild 9-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Evan Gattis also homered twice and Uggla drove in five runs as the Braves won their fourth straight. The teams combined for five homers and 12 runs in the final two innings. Gattis, Uggla and Andrelton Simmons hit consecutive homers in the eighth that put Atlanta ahead 5-1. "We have a lot of guys who can change the game with one swing," Uggla said. "Tonight we were able to put some at-bats together. Didnt have much going early on but we were able to get to them." Domonic Browns three-run homer capped a five-run bottom of the eighth that gave the Phillies a 6-5 lead. But the Braves rallied against Jake Diekman (1-1). B.J. Upton walked, Freddie Freeman reached on a grounder when second baseman Chase Utley made a questionable decision to try for a forceout and Justin Upton walked to load the bases with no outs. After Gattis struck out swinging at a 98 mph fastball, Uggla drove an 0-1 slider from Diekman deep into the seats in left. "(Diekman) has electric stuff," Uggla said. "Its not a comfortable at-bat at all. He throws really hard and has great stuff. Well take it." Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez was impressed with his teams comeback, but not surprised by it -- especially at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. "Its a resilient squad and in this ballpark weve seen it enough," Gonzalez said. "If you make a mistake, its in the seats." Neither teams closer was available. Philadelphias Jonathan Papelbon wasnt used because he had pitched three straight days, and Atlantas Craig Kimbrel has a sore shoulder. "For all those people who say anybody can close in the ninth, its a little different, a different animal," Gonzalez said. Gonzalez said Kimbrel, who experienced discomfort after recording his fifth save of the season on Saturday, is day to day. Luis Avilan (3-1) wound up with the win and David Carpeenter got his first save. Jay Bruce Jersey. Ryan Howard homered and Marlon Byrd drove in two runs for Philadelphia. Utley had two hits, and is batting .489 this season. "We made a comeback," Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg said. "The guys really battled and had good at-bats. We just werent able to close the door in the ninth." Braves starter Ervin Santa matched his career high with 11 strikeouts. He pitched six innings and gave up one run and four hits. "Ive been so impressed with him," Gonzalez said. "Hes got command, hes got some life, he knows how to pitch." Gattis put Atlanta in front 2-1 with a two-run homer in the sixth off Roberto Hernandez. After the Braves hit three more homers in the eighth, the Phillies loaded the bases with no outs against Avilan. Howard struck out looking, but Byrd hit a two-run single that made it 5-3. Brown gave Philadelphia the lead with his first homer since last Aug. 14. The Upton brothers didnt get any hits, but they almost hit each other. Justin sent a liner that nearly took out B.J. as he led off third base. B.J. had to dive out of the way, got up slowly and stared at Justin in the batters box in mock disgust. NOTES: Freeman went 0 for 4, ending his nine-game hitting streak. ... Phillies C Carlos Ruiz made two throwing errors, both trying to nab B.J. Upton stealing second. ... Phillies RHP A.J. Burnett has been diagnosed with a hernia but will make his scheduled start on Wednesday. ... Philadelphia manager Ryne Sandberg said before the game that MLB executive Joe Torre called him to say that both the umpires and replay officials incorrectly ruled on a play at the plate on Sunday. Sandberg unsuccessfully argued on Sunday that Tony Gwynn Jr. didnt have a lane to home plate and shouldve been safe based under the new rules on catchers blocking the plate. ... Philadelphia reliever Mike Adams will be activated from the DL on Tuesday. Adams, who is recovering from right shoulder surgery, hasnt pitched since last June. ... Atlanta RHP David Hale (0-0, 2.89) is scheduled to face Phillies LHP Cliff Lee (2-1, 5.50) on Tuesday night. ' ' '