No. 9 Florida remained undefeated on the season with an 83-66 victory over Arizona State at the Holiday Hoopsgiving event in State Farm Arena on Saturday. Walter Clayton Jr. led the way for the Gators, hitting five 3-pointers en route to a game-high 25 points. The win improves Florida to 10-0, marking just the third time in program history the team has started the season with such a streak.
The Gators seized control early, going on a 12-0 run midway through the first half, fueled by four of their 10 total 3-pointers. That spurt gave Florida an 18-8 lead with 14:29 remaining in the opening period. By halftime, Florida held a comfortable 43-32 advantage.
In the second half, the Gators turned on the afterburners. A 36-18 run extended their lead to 79-50, their largest margin of the game. Florida’s offense shot an impressive 48% from the field (32 of 67), including a 16-of-26 clip during the decisive run, while stifling Arizona State’s shooters to just 37% (23 of 62) for the game.
Clayton Jr.’s sharpshooting highlighted the performance, as he became just the second player in Florida history to make five 3-pointers in three consecutive games. Alijah Martin was a force on both ends of the court, finishing with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
For Arizona State (8-2), Adam Miller led the way with 18 points, but the Sun Devils struggled to keep up with Florida’s pace and physicality. The Gators dominated the boards, outrebounding the Sun Devils 47-27, which proved to be a critical factor in the game.
The Gators’ 10-0 start places them in elite company in program history, joining the 1951-1952 team coached by John Mauer and Billy Donovan’s 2005-2006 squad. Donovan’s team, which went on to win the NCAA Championship, began that season 17-0. With their balance, depth, and strong perimeter shooting, this Florida team has the tools to make a deep postseason run.
The Sun Devils’ two losses this season have come against top-10 opponents, underscoring their strength of schedule. Their previous defeat came on Nov. 10 in an 88-80 loss to No. 8 Gonzaga. While Arizona State remains a strong contender, their struggles on the boards and inconsistent shooting were exposed by a disciplined Florida team.
Florida will face a significant test as they travel to Charlotte to take on North Carolina on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Arizona State will have some time to regroup before heading to Massachusetts for a Dec. 21 matchup.
Florida’s performance in Atlanta solidifies their place among college basketball’s elite teams this season, as they aim to emulate the success of their historic 2006 squad.
Key Stats
•Walter Clayton Jr.: 5 three-pointers, game-high 25 points
•Rebounds: Florida 47, Arizona State 27
•Field Goal Percentage: Florida 48% (32 of 67), Arizona State 37% (23 of 62)
•Second Half Run: Florida opened the half with a 36-18 stretch to secure the game.
