No. 5 Florida closed out its regular season in dominant fashion, defeating Mississippi 90-71 on Saturday night at the O’Connell Center. The Gators were powered by Walter Clayton Jr.’s 23-point performance on senior night, along with Alex Condon’s second consecutive double-double.
Clayton, one of three seniors honored before the game, delivered a stellar performance that included back-to-back 3-pointers in each half, extending his school-record streak of consecutive games with a made 3-pointer to 53. Fellow senior Alijah Martin added 13 points, while Condon contributed 17 points and 15 rebounds in a commanding effort.
The Gators (27-4, 14-4 SEC) closed the regular season by winning nine of their final 10 games, strengthening their case for a coveted No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Florida had already locked up the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament but left no doubt in this one, pulling away with a decisive 14-0 run early in the second half that turned a tight three-point contest into a runaway.
Clayton, Condon, and Martin spearheaded the scoring burst, giving Florida a comfortable lead they would not relinquish. The Gators ability to impose their will showcased why they have emerged as one of the nation’s top teams heading into postseason play.
Will Richard, another senior honored before tip-off, received the loudest ovation when he was introduced last on senior night. A transfer from Belmont, Richard was head coach Todd Golden’s first signee at Florida in 2022 and has been a key contributor throughout his time in Gainesville.
Clayton’s sharpshooting continued to be a crucial factor for the Gators, as his consecutive 3-pointer streak now stands at 53 games — a school record.
Mississippi (21-10, 10-8 SEC) struggled to keep pace despite Sean Pedulla’s 22-point outing. Head coach Chris Beard mixed in zone defenses and full-court pressure in an attempt to disrupt Florida’s offensive rhythm. The strategy worked early, but Florida’s scoring burst in the second half proved insurmountable.
With the win, Florida improved to 15-1 at home this season and an impressive 29-2 in the O’Connell Center over the last two years, solidifying its status as one of the SEC’s toughest venues.
Mississippi will enter the SEC Tournament as the No. 8 seed and face the winner of the South Carolina-Arkansas matchup on Thursday. Florida, with its double bye, will play its opening tournament game on Friday.
