Xaivian Lee delivered his best performance of the season as No. 18 Florida pulled away in the second half for an 80-70 victory over George Washington on Saturday in the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic.
Lee scored a season-high 24 points on 6-of-11 shooting, knocking down 4 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc, to lead the defending champion Gators (6-4). Thomas Haugh added 19 points and seven rebounds, while Boogie Fland chipped in 12 points and five assists as Florida rebounded from consecutive losses to top-five opponents Duke and UConn.
Florida took a slim three-point advantage into halftime, then seized control immediately after the break. The Gators opened the second half with 11 unanswered points, capped by Rueben Chinyelu’s dunk, to extend the lead to 41-27. Micah Handlogten’s layup with 12:30 remaining pushed the margin to a game-high 54-34.
George Washington (8-4) refused to go quietly, responding with a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 54-43 on Rafael Castro’s layup with 10:28 left. Florida answered once more, rattling off seven straight points to regain breathing room and keep the Revolutionaries at bay the rest of the way.
The Gators were especially efficient after halftime, shooting 16 of 24 from the field in the second half to maintain control. George Washington struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 7 of 19 attempts.
Trey Autry led the Revolutionaries with 15 points, and Tyrone Marshall Jr. added 14. Castro finished with 12 points, while Jean Aranguren scored 11. George Washington stayed within striking distance early, as the first half featured four lead changes. Tre Dinkins’ late 3-pointer pulled the Revolutionaries within 30-27 at the break.
In the opening game of the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, UMass defeated Florida State 103-95.
Up next, George Washington returns home to host St. Mary’s College of Maryland on Dec. 22. Florida continues its homestand Wednesday against Saint Francis.
