(2) Florida 104, (3) Alabama 82 –
Gators seized control when Florida went on a massive 21-8 run out of halftime. Their defense forced Alabama turnovers, and Alijah Martin and Will Richard combined for nine consecutive points at the beginning. Florida pushed Alabama to the limit defensively, as the Crimson Tide were 3-of-12 from the field with four turnovers in that period.
Player of the Game: Walter Clayton has to be a first-team all-America performer with his quarterbacking skills on both sides of the ball. Clayton finished with 22 points and six assists in 30 minutes. Clayton once again spread those points throughout the game as he found Alijah Martin and Thomas Haugh with assists. He was a (+20) as Will Richard led with a (+23).
Key Statistics: The beginning of the second half saw the Gators hold Alabama to 2-of-10 from the field as they built a 62-50 lead. Florida held Alabama to 34.4 percent from the floor with five turnovers in that second 20 minutes. Florida made 12 three-pointers and were 37-of-72 from the field. Florida had 47 scores on 75 possessions and scored 1.387 points per possession as the Gators had a 62.7 scoring percentage while Alabama scored on just 48 percent on its possessions.
Todd Golden on the Gators’ second half control: “I simply think our depth wore out in the second half, proved out in the second half. We were able to get into their bench a little bit. Our bench stepped up, allowed us to get some rest for our starters. We kept coming in waves in the
second half. Thought we did an incredible job wearing them down.”
Nate Oats on the complexion of the game: We want to be the hardest playing, toughest team on the floor. We were not today, particularly in the second half. Thought they made a lot of
tough plays.”