LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — In an impressive showing at the ESPN Events Invitational, the No. 18 ranked Florida Gators secured a 75-58 victory over Wake Forest, led by Walter Clayton Jr. with 21 points and Alijah Martin contributing 16.

The Gators, now boasting a record of 7-0, started the second half with a commanding 10-0 run after a tightly contested first half, where they held a slim 32-28 lead. Notably, Clayton turned things around after a quiet first half with just six points, exploding for 15 additional points in the second half.

Florida faced an early deficit, trailing by as much as nine points in the opening period. However, they rallied with a strong 12-2 run, culminating in a 23-22 advantage with just under five minutes left in the half, thanks to Will Richard, who notched 10 points during that stretch and ended the game with 14 points.

Regarding performance highlights, Wake Forest began the game strongly and maintained a lead at several points. Hunter Sallis and Cameron Hildreth were the standout scorers for the Demon Deacons, each netting 15 points during the match.

From Florida’s perspective, the team overcame a sluggish start with a solid collaborative effort, resulting in four players finishing the game with double-digit scores.

One key moment that shifted momentum was when Florida guard Will Richard capitalized on a Wake Forest turnover. He drove through the defense for a layup, scoring to put the Gators ahead 23-22 after they had trailed earlier in the game.

Looking at the game statistics, Florida’s shooting improved dramatically from the first half to the second, going from 35% to 44% from the field. The Gators were also more aggressive on the free-throw line, attempting 27 shots compared to just 15 from Wake Forest.

As they advance, the Gators are set to take on Wichita State for the final match of the ESPN Events Invitational on Friday, looking to continue their undefeated streak.