In Gainesville, Florida, the University of Florida’s basketball team secured a commanding 89-70 victory over 12th-ranked Texas A&M, with standout performances from Will Richard, who scored 25 points and made six 3-pointers, and Thomas Haugh, who contributed 17 points. The Gators, ranked third, rebounded from a recent defeat against Georgia, eyeing a prime spot in the SEC Tournament double-bye round in the coming weeks. Alijah Martin also chipped in with 14 points to help seal the victory for Florida.
Texas A&M, now with a record of 20-9 and 9-7 in the SEC, is at risk of dropping out of the AP Top 25 college rankings, while Florida, boasting a 25-4 record and 12-4 in SEC play, is enjoying an impressive 14-1 record at home. Initially trailing by six points, the Gators caught fire from beyond the arc, eventually taking a significant lead against the Aggies. Richard’s hot streak included scoring 17 points in the final half, nailing five 3-pointers, the last of which came with just under five minutes left to play and proved to be pivotal.
The Gators were prolific from three-point range, successfully making 14 out of 33 attempts, substantially outperforming the Aggies. Pharrel Payne and Zhuric Phelps led the Texas A&M side with 16 points each but it wasn’t enough to overcome Florida’s long-range accuracy.
The takeaway for Texas A&M is a struggle with consistency, particularly missing 10 of their last 12 three-point attempts and failing to capitalize on nine free throws. Meanwhile, Florida’s return to form after their loss to Georgia has brightened their prospects for a loftier seed in the NCAA Tournament.
A significant moment came courtesy of Florida’s Alex Condon, who, despite recent dental repairs, made two back-to-back dunks with just over seven minutes on the clock, playing a crucial role in the Gators pulling away decisively.
A notable statistic from the game was Walter Clayton Jr.’s continuation of a remarkable streak, recording a three-pointer in his 51st consecutive game, extending his existing school record.
Looking ahead, Texas A&M is set to host the top-ranked Auburn Tigers on Tuesday, while Florida will face off against sixth-ranked Alabama on Wednesday.
