GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Alijah Martin contributed 18 points, while Will Richard added another 17 as the sixth-ranked Florida Gators maintained their undefeated status with a decisive 85-45 victory over Stetson on Sunday.
Walter Clayton Jr. also made a significant impact, notching 12 points alongside seven assists, as the Gators improved their record to 13-0 and extended their home winning streak to 15 games, concluding their nonconference schedule without a single loss.
Florida established a commanding lead early in the game and began to increase the gap halfway through the second period with a flurry of dunks and fast-break opportunities. The team displayed their dominance by scoring 52 points in the paint and another 34 on fast breaks.
Under the guidance of Coach Todd Golden, Florida is now one of just four teams in Division I that remains unbeaten, joining top-ranked Tennessee, No. 12 Oklahoma, and Drake in this exclusive group.
For Stetson, Mehki Ellison was the leading scorer with 15 points. Unfortunately, Josh Massey suffered a hard fall on his left elbow during the second half and had to be assisted to the locker room.
This season has been particularly challenging for Stetson, which experienced significant turnover following their first NCAA Tournament appearance last March, losing four out of five starters to the transfer portal.
**Takeaways**
For Stetson, this season seems poised to be a tough one under Coach Donnie Jones, as the challenges faced by a mid-major team that has tasted success become evident.
On the other hand, Florida continues to showcase itself as one of the deepest and most talented teams across the nation. This convincing win followed a week-long break for the holidays, with the team seamlessly shaking off any rust that may have accumulated during their layoff.
**Key Moment**
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Martin and Richard joined forces, scoring 17 consecutive points late in the first half, transforming a 13-point lead into a commanding advantage that left little doubt about the outcome.
**Key Stat**
The Gators registered an impressive 19 assists on 35 field goals, highlighting their strong team play throughout the game.
**Upcoming Schedule**
Stetson is set to kick off ASUN Conference play against Queens on Thursday, while Florida will begin their Southeastern Conference season against Kentucky on Saturday.