Florida 74, Purdue 67

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Florida's tournament experience paid off against plucky Purdue. <br/>Al Horford and Corey Brewer each scored 17 points and the defending national champions withstood a game effort

Sunday, March 18th 2007, 3:32 pm

By: News On 6

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Florida's tournament experience paid off against plucky Purdue.
Al Horford and Corey Brewer each scored 17 points and the defending national champions withstood a game effort by the Boilermakers 74-67 on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Purdue played just about how it wanted against the Gators -- slowing down the tempo, rebounding with a smaller lineup and keeping the game close much of the way.

But the top-seeded Gators never panicked and made several clutch shots down the stretch to advance to the round of 16.

Horford had three big buckets in the final minutes, and Brewer hit a spinning jumper and then made six consecutive free throws to seal Florida's 14th consecutive postseason win.

The Gators (31-5) advanced to play fifth-seeded Butler in the Midwest Regional semifinals Friday in St. Louis.

Carl Landry led Purdue (22-12) with 18 points and 10 rebounds.