No. 5 Florida Gators Extend Dominance Over Georgia With 89-59 Blowout Victory

The Florida Gators continued their reign over the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday with a commanding 89-59 victory in Gainesville. Behind stellar performances from Alijah Martin and Walter Clayton Jr., who each scored 17 points, the Gators notched their 12th consecutive win in this heated Southeastern Conference rivalry, the longest streak by either team since the series began in 1923.

Florida (18-2, 5-2 SEC) displayed its depth and balance, with Will Richard adding 16 points, Alex Condon contributing 14, and Thomas Haugh providing a spark off the bench with a double-double (13 points, 11 rebounds). The Gators defense smothered Georgia’s leading scorer and rebounder, Asa Newell. The 6-foot-11 freshman, a Florida native, was held to eight points on 4-of-14 shooting and managed just six rebounds.

The game started competitively, but Martin set the tone early, scoring 11 of Florida’s first 16 points. His layup capped an 11-0 run that turned a tight contest into a blowout. Georgia briefly led for 11 seconds early in the game but quickly unraveled under Florida’s relentless pressure.

A key stretch came midway through the first half when Will Richard drained three consecutive three-pointers in a span of three minutes, pushing Florida’s lead to 19. The Bulldogs never recovered, as Florida’s efficient offense and suffocating defense took full control.

Georgia (14-6, 2-5 SEC) has endured a grueling start to its conference slate, with six of its first seven SEC games against ranked opponents, including four top-10 matchups. First-year coach Mike White, who previously led the Gators, fell to 0-6 against his former team.

Despite the loss, White sees hope in Georgia’s upcoming schedule, which features more manageable competition starting with a home game against South Carolina on Tuesday night.

Florida’s standout play extended beyond its leading scorers. The Gators dominated in nearly every facet of the game, showcasing their depth and ability to spread the ball around. Clayton, who has been a reliable perimeter threat all season, extended his school-record streak of consecutive games with a three-pointer to 43.

The game marked the anticipated return of 7-foot-1 junior Micah Handlogten, who has been sidelined since breaking his left leg in the SEC Tournament title game last March. However, Handlogten opted at the last moment to forgo playing this season and will redshirt instead.

Florida now turns its attention to a highly anticipated matchup against No. 6 Tennessee in Knoxville on February 1. Meanwhile, Georgia looks to bounce back with a winnable home game against South Carolina.

Florida dominated the boards, outrebounding Georgia 42-29, while shooting a blistering 52% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, struggled offensively, shooting just 35% overall and 26% from three-point range.

Saturday’s win solidified Florida’s status as one of the premier teams in college basketball this season. With a combination of star power, depth, and defensive tenacity, the Gators are poised to remain a force in the SEC and beyond. Meanwhile, Georgia will look to regroup and use its lighter upcoming schedule to climb back to respectability in conference play.

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