Florida junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. scored 21 points, and freshman forward Thomas Haugh had a career-high 17 points and seven rebounds as the Gators rallied from a double-digit first-half deficit to defeat Georgia at Stegeman Coliseum on Saturday. The victory was UF’s seventh in the previous eight games, its tenth straight in the series against UGA, and the fourth in as many tries for UF coach Todd Golden against his predecessor Mike White. Clayton, the team’s leading scorer, was one of five teammates who scored in double figures, but Haugh stood out as a backup. The 6-foot-9 forward from Oxford, Pa., shot six of nine from the field, three of four from three, and had four offensive rebounds in a career-high 26 minutes.
Haugh sank a driving, high bank shot with 1:41 remaining to maintain the Gators ahead by six. After Bulldogs player Noah Thomasson (game-high 26 points) hit a 3-pointer to make it 83-80, Haugh retrieved an offensive rebound, was fouled, and sunk one of two free throws with 52.9 seconds left to maintain his side ahead by four. From there, fifth-year guard Zyon Pullin (16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 0 turnovers in 38 minutes) sank four free throws to seal the victory. Will Richard, a UF junior guard, had 10 points and four rebounds, while backup freshman forward Alex Condon added 10 points and three rebounds. Georgia, coming off a mid-week bye, started strong, making nine of its first ten shots and building an 11-point lead, 22-11, just six minutes into the game. The Bulldogs led 46-40 at halftime after holding the Gators to 40 percent shooting. It took UF less than 90 seconds to tie the game for the first time in the second half, thanks to three-pointers by Clayon and Richard. While UGA went 10 minutes without a field goal, UF increased its lead to seven points. With eight minutes remaining, the Bulldogs tied the game at one point after scoring six consecutive points. Within five minutes, Florida had a two-point lead as Condon hit a three-pointer from the top of the key while Clayton was being mugged underneath the rim. Clayton sank both free throws for a seven-point lead, giving his side some breathing room during Georgia’s late-game surge.
Following their careless defensive performance in the first half, the Gators limited the Bulldogs to 37.5 percent in the second half. They also forced 10 second-half turnovers, which resulted in 14 points.
What It Means.
Another triumph for Florida in the postseason, and this time in Quadrant 2. Despite being 2-7 in Quad 1 games, the Gators are currently 16-0 in Quad 2, 3, and 4 opportunities (which means no terrible losses). Since starting the SEC season with two losses, the Gators have won eight of ten league games, including three on the road. If Auburn holds serve at home against Kentucky later Saturday, Florida will be alone in fifth place in the league standings and in strong position for a top-four seed (and a double-bye) in the SEC tournament.
In the spotlight.
How good will Haugh be for this program?
Staggering Statistics
Georgia, which suffered its sixth consecutive loss, had led in the second half of all 14 home games this season. The Bulldogs dropped to 10-4 on their home court.
Up Next
Florida (18-7, 8-4) is back on the road, this time against 15th-ranked Alabama, in what seems to be the most challenging task of the 2023-24 season. The Crimson Tide (18-7, 10-2), who earlier Saturday blasted Texas A&M 100-75 at home to remain alone atop the SEC standings, have won three straight in the series against the Gators, including last year’s 97-69 thrashing in Tuscaloosa, which marked UF’s most lopsided conference defeat in 26 years.
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