GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Walter Clayton Jr. led the charge with 18 points while Will Richard contributed 14, as the No. 2-ranked Florida Gators secured an impressive 85-63 win over Oklahoma on Tuesday night. This victory marked Florida’s fifth consecutive triumph in what has been a strong season.
Alijah Martin also made a notable impact off the bench by adding another 14 points for the Gators (23-3, 10-3 in the Southeastern Conference). The team showcased a disciplined performance, tying a season-low with just six turnovers and improving to a remarkable 13-1 record at home.
The trio of Clayton, Richard, and Martin, who are Florida’s leading scorers, collectively made 15 of their 31 attempts from the field, including nailing nine shots from beyond the arc. They played a crucial role in helping the Gators establish a significant early lead, scoring 25 of the team’s initial 37 points, which allowed them to take control of the game and maintain it throughout.
Notably, Florida faced this matchup without starting forward Alex Condon and reserve player Sam Alexis, both of whom were seen in protective boots. However, Condon did take part in the shootaround without one, hinting at a potential return. Micah Handlogten, recently back from a broken left leg suffered last March, tallied two points, five rebounds, two assists, and one block in his second game back.
For the Sooners (16-10, 3-10), Jeremiah Fears was the standout performer, leading the team with 22 points and securing five rebounds.
Key takeaways from the game indicate that Oklahoma is currently struggling, having lost five straight games, which is particularly challenging due to facing four ranked opponents in that span, all of which resulted in losses by at least 18 points. In contrast, Florida has navigated this season’s challenges effectively, adjusting without several key players including Clayton, Martin, Condon, and Alexis during their current winning streak.
A pivotal moment in the game was marked by Florida’s electrifying five 3-pointers, including three consecutive makes within just 1:18, which propelled them into a 17-3 scoring run that transformed a close six-point contest into a commanding lead in the first half.
Statistically, Florida excelled from long distance, sinking 12 of their 32 attempts from three-point range, extending their streak to five games with double-digit 3-pointers, a testament to the team’s shooting skill under coach Todd Golden.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma is scheduled to host No. 21 Mississippi State on Saturday, while Florida will travel to face LSU later that same day.
