FINAL: No. 5 Florida 84, Texas 60

What happened

GAINESVILLE, Florida. – Guards Alijah Martin And Walter Clayton Jr. combined for 41 points, while leading Alex Condon posted a double-double to lead fifth-ranked Florida to an 84-60 victory over Texas in their Southeastern Conference game Saturday at Exactech Arena/O’Connell Center.

Martin, the transfer from Florida Atlantic, scored 13 of his 22 points in the second half when UF turned a seven-point lead at the break into a blowout by shooting 58 percent for the period and holding the Longhorns to 37 to hundred and forcing eight turnovers. He also had six rebounds and four assists in his 29 minutes, Clayton had 12 points in the first half before finishing with 19, while Condon bounced back from a scoreless first half to total 11 points and 12 rebounds (his fourth double). -double of the season, third in the last four games) with four interceptions and three assists.

For the Gators, the game was a strong response to Tuesday night’s disappointing home loss to Missouri that ended a 16-game winning streak at the O’Dome dating back to January 2024.

The Longhorns had an early six-point lead, mostly thanks to the freshman guard, the SEC scoring leader and projected 2025 NBA lottery pick. Tre Johnson (16 points), before Martin and Clayton unleashed a 13-point series to take a 28-18 lead as UT missed six straight shots and went five minutes without scoring. UF led 37-30 at halftime, with UT remaining within striking distance for much of the second half. The Longhorns were up seven, 61-54, with eight to play before a 14-2 run for the home team, including a 3 from Clayton to start and another from Martin, opening up an 18-point margin with less than four minutes to go. play. go.

Texas entered the game averaging 81.6 points, 49.7 percent from the floor and 38.1 percent shooting from distance, but was held nearly 22 points below first, 36, 4 for the game and just four of 16 from deep. More than a quarter of their points are scored at the free throw line.

What it means

Now it’s more like it. More like the team that captured Gator Nation’s imagination until they hit that pothole Tuesday night. The Longhorns, at least for now, may not be a top-half SEC team (or a Quadrant 1 opponent), but this game was about Florida and its identity, especially at home. The Gators rose to the challenge.

In the spotlight

Against Mizzou four nights earlier, Martin didn’t look like the player he had been around in the team’s first 16 games. He did it in Game 18.

Stunning statistic

UF thought it had an advantage inside against the perimeter-oriented Longhorns. Sure enough, the Gators outscored UT 44-20 in the paint.

Following

Florida (16-2, 3-2), after two home games, returns to the road Tuesday evening to face South Carolina (10-8, 0-5). The Gamecocks were beaten 82-62 at Oklahoma on Saturday to remain winless in league play. USC is one of UF’s perennial home opponents, with a return visit to Gainesville scheduled for February 15.

Email a senior editor Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu