GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In an impressive display of skill, Will Richard delivered a personal best by scoring 26 points, aiding Florida’s dominant performance and securing their undefeated status with a 99-45 triumph over North Florida on Saturday.
Richard showcased his shooting prowess by successfully making 9 out of 12 attempts from the field, including a remarkable 6 of 8 from beyond the arc. He complemented his scoring with five rebounds, two steals, and two assists, contributing significantly to his team’s success.
Other key contributors for the Gators included Sam Alexis, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, along with Alex Condon, who tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Thomas Haugh, who also achieved a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Florida, boasting a record of 12-0, reached their best start since the 2005-06 season, where they claimed 17 straight victories to kick off the year.
Florida took control of the game early, establishing a 10-0 lead right from the start and closing the first half with a 14-0 scoring streak, demonstrating their dominance.
On the flip side, North Florida, now at 7-6, faced their fourth loss in six games this December and continued to struggle without their leading scorer, Josh Harris, who was sidelined due to an ankle injury.
Jasai Miles and Liam Murphy were the standout performers for North Florida, each contributing 13 points to their team’s efforts.
In summary, North Florida achieved a commendable upset against South Carolina and Georgia Tech earlier in the season but has since struggled, highlighting the need for Harris to return to form for a chance at success in the ASUN Conference.
For Florida, having just come off a hard-fought victory against North Carolina, they effectively avoided any letdown during this matchup against a less competitive opponent heading into the holiday season.
One of the pivotal moments in the game was the Gators establishing their control in the opening minute with consecutive three-pointers from Walter Clayton Jr. and Richard, setting the stage for a dominant 10-0 run, marking one of three significant scoring bursts in the first half.
A notable statistic from the game showed Florida tying a program record by securing 26 offensive rebounds, bringing their season total to 188, underlining their rebounding strength.
Looking ahead, North Florida will face Austin Peay on January 2, while Florida will take on Stetson at home on December 29.