Florida forward Stone out for season with torn ACL

GAINESVILE, Fla. (AP) Florida forward Keith Stone will have season-ending surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the second half against Georgia.

The Gators announced the news Sunday, one day after their 62-52 victory in Athens and after Stone underwent further testing.

The 6-foot-8 junior from Deerfield Beach averaged 6.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 17 games this season, including 13 starts. He scored eight points in nine minutes before landing awkwardly on his left leg while trying to block a shot against the Bulldogs.

Coach Mike White says ''we're really disappointed for Keith. You could see he was playing with confidence (Saturday), and you hate to see a guy go down at any time.''

Losing Stone leaves Florida short-handed in the frontcourt, where forward Chase Johnson transferred last month and big men Isaiah Stokes and Gorjok Gak have played sparingly because of injuries and fitness levels.