KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- All UF could do was watch in stunned silence as the deafening Tennessee crowd drowned out any hope of a second half comeback.
More than 20,000 fans took to their feet as the Gators (18-4, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) walked off the floor at Thompson-Boling Arena to the tune of a 79-63 loss.
"That's definitely the wildest crowd we've seen this year," forward Chandler Parsons said. "It's a crazy environment and they don't like us."
UF chipped away at a 23-point, second-half deficit and managed to pull within 10 with 4:42 to play.
But the Volunteers closed out the game with a late flurry and were too much to overcome.
Tennessee (13-7, 4-2 SEC) opened the game with an 11-3 run and never looked back.
UF guard Nick Calathes was sent to the bench after picking up two fouls in the first five minutes of play, and freshman Erving Walker was forced to shoulder the load at point guard for the Gators.
The burden was too much for him to handle.
Walker was clearly rattled by the raucous Tennessee crowd and struggled to control the ball.
Usually quick to pull the trigger, Walker (3 points) passed up open looks that he usually knocks down.
Calathes reentered the game with a little more than six minutes to play in the first half, but by then the Volunteers already had the game well in hand.
"Obviously when we lose Nick that's a big part of our offense," Parsons said.
Frustration soon began to set in for the Gators.
Down 36-19 with 1:04 left in the first half, Florida was charged with a five second violation after they failed to inbound the ball.
The Gators struggled to protect the ball all night, coughing up the rock 18 times- 12 of which came in the first half.
"We we're careless," Parsons said. "We have to be able to take care of the ball better."
Walter Hodge was charged with a technical foul with 15:39 to play in the second half after throwing an elbow to the face of Tennessee freshman Scotty Hopson while fighting for a loose ball in front of the Volunteer bench.
Chandler Parsons fouled out with 1:29 to play. He scored 15 points.
Calathes led the way for the Gators with 21 points.
