The 14th-ranked Florida Gators demonstrated their superior form in college basketball, triumphing over their long-standing rivals, the Georgia Bulldogs, with a convincing 86-66 scoreline in Athens. This victory not only marked Florida's fourth consecutive win but also cemented a clean sweep of the season series against Georgia, reinforcing their leading position in the Southeastern Conference. The Gators' balanced offensive attack saw five players reaching double-digit scores, highlighting their depth and cohesion as a team.
The Wednesday night encounter at Stegeman Coliseum saw the Florida Gators assert their authority early on. Despite Georgia's attempt to counter Florida's significant size advantage with a larger starting lineup, the strategy proved ineffective. The Bulldogs struggled from the outset, missing their first eight attempts from the field and quickly falling into a 10-0 deficit. This early lead, spearheaded by three baskets from Boogie Fland, set the tone for the entire game, with Florida maintaining control throughout the contest. Blue Cain eventually broke Georgia's scoring drought with a three-pointer nearly six minutes into the game, but the damage was already done.
Florida's offensive prowess was on full display, with Xaivian Lee leading all scorers with 18 points, contributing significantly with his 7-for-14 shooting performance, including three successful three-pointers, and seven assists. Other key contributors included Boogie Fland with 15 points, Isaiah Brown and Alex Condon each adding 12 points, and Thomas Haugh with 11 points. Reuben Chinyelu dominated the boards, pulling down an impressive 20 rebounds, just one shy of his personal best for the season. The Gators, who had previously been ranked last in three-point shooting percentage in the SEC, found their rhythm beyond the arc, converting 10 of 26 attempts, their best performance in a conference game. This offensive surge allowed Florida to build a commanding 17-point lead following an 8-0 run capped by Brown's three-pointer, extending it to a 20-point advantage late in the first half before Georgia managed to trim it to 43-27 by halftime.
The second half saw a brief resurgence from the Bulldogs, who managed to cut Florida's lead to nine points by scoring the first seven points. However, Florida quickly quashed any hopes of a comeback with back-to-back three-pointers from Haugh and Urban Klavzar, instantly restoring their 15-point cushion. From that point onward, Georgia was unable to narrow the gap to less than ten points. The Bulldogs, who entered the game on a losing streak, were further hampered by the absence of their leading scorer, Jeremiah Wilkinson, due to a shoulder injury. This setback, combined with Florida's relentless performance, ultimately sealed Georgia's fate, marking their fourth loss in the last five games and solidifying Florida's dominant season against their rivals.
In summary, the Florida Gators delivered a comprehensive performance, securing a significant road victory and a season sweep over the Georgia Bulldogs. Their balanced scoring, strategic play, and strong defensive effort underscored their status as a top contender in the SEC, leaving no doubt about their current momentum and ambitions for the season.