The defending national champion Florida Gators are finding out early this season that repeating won’t come easy. But on Tuesday night, they showed just enough poise to escape a fierce challenge from their in-state rivals.
Thomas Haugh had 20 points and 13 rebounds, and freshman guard Boogie Fland added 18 points — including two clutch free throws in the final seconds — as No. 10 Florida held off Florida State 78-76 to hand the Seminoles their first loss under new head coach Luke Loucks.
The Gators (2-1) extended their winning streak in the series to five games, but only after surviving a frantic finish that nearly saw them blow a nine-point lead in the final six-plus minutes.
Leading 76-73, Florida appeared to be in control after Fland calmly sank two free throws with 15.8 seconds remaining. But on the ensuing possession, Florida State’s Robert McCray V — who single-handedly kept the Seminoles alive down the stretch — missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer.
Alex Condon, who had battled turnover issues all night, seemed to seal it for Florida by hitting two free throws with five seconds left. But after Haugh missed a pair at the line moments earlier, the Seminoles still had life — and Chauncey Wiggins’ desperation 80-foot heave at the buzzer fell just short, ending FSU’s upset hopes.
McCray was sensational in defeat, scoring 29 points — including nine straight during a late rally that cut Florida’s lead to one. However, he missed the second of two free throws with 17 seconds left that could have tied the game.
Wiggins finished with 11 points, while Kobe MaGee added 14 points and nine rebounds for Florida State (2-1).
While the Gators struggled from beyond the arc — missing 18 of 21 3-point attempts — they dominated the glass. Florida finished with a massive 58-36 rebounding advantage, led by Haugh’s 13 boards and Rueben Chinyelu’s 16 rebounds to go along with 10 points.
Condon added 11 points and six rebounds, though his six turnovers nearly cost the Gators late.
Florida trailed 40-35 early in the second half and appeared out of rhythm offensively — especially from long range. That’s when Fland, who had yet to hit a 3-pointer all season, came alive.
He drained back-to-back 3s in a two-minute stretch, the second banking off the side of the rim and backboard before dropping through. Those shots swung momentum back in Florida’s favor and helped spark a key 12-2 run.
Florida State will look to rebound when it hosts UT Martin next Tuesday, while No. 10 Florida faces another in-state test when it meets Miami on Sunday in Jacksonville.
If Tuesday’s narrow escape is any indication, the Gators may not yet be the dominant force they were a season ago — but they’re still finding ways to win when it matters most.
