By Ken Cross
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – No. 16 Florida found itself down, 20-11, midway through the first half as Wake Forest’s defense and physicality had taken control of the game. The Gators held Wake Forest to 2-of-14 from the floor over the last 10:23 of the first half to take a 32-28 lead after 20 minutes.
Florida’s Walter Clayton led four Gators in double figures with 21 points and Alijah Martin contributed 16, and 14 in the second half to seal the win.
Richards closed the first half by scoring ten of his points as his layup off the right side followed a three from the left baseline and a slam in transition to give the Gators their first lead at 23-22 with 4:49 remaining before halftime.
Florida completed its best defensive game of the season as it held the Deacons to 38 percent from the field and outrebounded Wake Forest, 44-30.
“Our defense still needs to improve, but I think we took a step forward,” said Golden.
Walter Clayton opened the second half with a pair of threes and Alijah Martin scored seven points in a row as his three off the left baseline gave Florida a 55-44 lead that it would eventually push to 19 before closing with the 75-58 win.
“Wake Forest tried to get us out of our rhythm and we tried to get them out of their rhythm,” commented Golden. “It’s how things need to be played when you’re trying to get a team out of rhythm – with physicality.”
Wake Forest’s physicality enabled the early 20-11 lead after scores by Efton Reid and Hunter Salis in working the interior.
“They had great size and really good guards,” said Deacons head coach Steve Forbes. “Walter Clayton is an elite ball handler, scorer, finisher.”
Cam Hildreth joined Salis in leading Wake Forest with 15 points and Trevon Spillers added 14.
Wichita State 68, Minnesota 66 – Wichita State guard Xavier Bell scored six of his 11 points in overtime as Wichita State trailed Minnesota, 54-50, with 4:20 to play in overtime before Bell and Harlond Beverly helped Paul Mills’ squad pull pulled out it’s sixth win, 68-66 victory in overtime.
Beverly hit a three-point shot off the left wing with 1.2 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 58-58.
The Shockers went ahead 68-66 when Hill converted two free throws with four seconds remaining. However, Minnesota’s Brennan Rigsby had a solid look at the buzzer from behins the three-point line as his shot his the rims ffour times, but he could not get the roll.
Beverly lead all scorers with 16 points while Lu’cye Patterson shored 14 points as both teams place four players in double figures.
Neither team had a lead bigger than five points in this game as shooting hurt the Gophers, who were only 3-of-23 from the three and 9-of-17 at the free throw line.