By Kenneth Cross
SUNRISE, Fla. – Guard Will Richard hit three triples in 1:23 as the Florida Gators built a 62-46 lead to take an 87-76 win over Richmond in the second game in the Orange Bowl Classic.
“This young man next to me (Richard) separated the game and just stepped up in the moment where we kind of needed somebody to take the game back,” said Gators head coach Todd Golden.
Richard led four Gators in double figures with 21 points while Florida outscored Richmond 34-18 in the paint.
“We dominated on the glass at plus-19,” said Florida head coach Todd Golden. “I thought that started showing up in the second half. We didn’t take care of the ball well enough in the second half, but 14-12 assist-to-turnover ratio, we’ll live.”
Richard scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half in carrying the Gators, who took their biggest lead at 87-71 on a Zach Pullin jumper with 48 seconds remaining.
Tyrese Samuel was a major key as well with a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Gators on the board where they out-rebounded the Spiders, 49-30.
“He’s fantastic,” commented Golden. “He’s one that the game just comes so easy to him. When certain things happen, you might look down after the game and realize he had 18 and 14 and you’re like, ‘Holy Smokes. This guy had a monster, monster game.’”
The Gators built an 18-10 lead over the first seven minutes, but Richmond guard John Roche hit a pair of threes to cut it to 18-17.
The Spiders’ major characteristic is still their ability to consistently make the three as they shoot at 38.1 percent from behind the arc this season.
Richmond’s Jordan King led the team at 45.5 percent this season and was 0-of-4 from the arc despite scoring 14 points with six rebounds and six assists.
Isaiah Bigelow and Nate Quinn had 17 each to pace the Spiders, who stayed in contact with Florida by making 11-of-22 triples.