What Happened
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Sophomore point guard Boogie Fland broke out of his six-week shooting slump with a season-high 23 points, while junior center Rueben Chinyelu posted a dominant double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds, as Florida blew out No. 21 Tennessee 91-67 in the team’s best all-around performance of the season Saturday in their Southeastern Conference game at sold-out Exactech Arena/O’Connell Center.
Fland, the transfer from Arkansas, came into the game averaging 10.8 points on 38% shooting from the floor and a team-low 19% from the 3-point line. Against the nation’s No. 13 defense, Fland knocked down nine of 13 shots, including three of six from the arc, easily eclipsing his previous season high of 18 points, but also dished five assists and had four steals. Chinyelu, the SEC’s rebound leader, went 8-for-12 from the floor and basically owned the paint against one of the nation’s best rebounding teams.
Backup guard junior Urban Klavzar scored 15 points, thanks to a trio of 3-pointers, while junior wing Thomas Haugh had 13 points, junior forward Alex Condon had 11 points and seven boards, and senior guard Xaivian Lee had 10 points to give UF six players in double-figure scoring. Florida shot 48.4% for the game, but also defended the Volunteers at 42.9% while forcing 18 turnovers that turned into 30 points.
The Gators’ 91 points were most given up by the Volunteers in 70 games, dating to the 2023-24 season.
UT led 21-19 when a driving baseline slam by Haugh kicked in a 22-7 windfall run to end the period. The catalyst behind the run was Fland, who scored all 10 of his first half points over the final 3:31, including a pair of 3-pointers that ended a run of 15 consecutive arc misses by Fland over the last five games. UF went to the locker room leading 41-28 by hitting eight of their final 12 shots and tallying 18 points off 11 Tennessee turnovers.
The Gators shot nearly 57% after intermission to maintain control and easily put the game away, with the Vols never getting the lead inside double digits, and home team leading by as many as 25 with more than 10 minutes to play. UF won the battle of the boards, 41-30, and doubled UT on the offensive glass (12-6).
Thomas Haugh launches a 3-pointer in the first half Saturday.
Turning Point
The 66.6% shooting, including a trio of 3s, the last six-plus minutes of the first half put the Gators in control.
Staggering Statistic
The Gators’ last four home margins of victory against the Volunteers is 26, 13, 30 and now 24, with all but former being under Coach Todd Golden.
Up Next
Florida (11-5, 2-1) heads back on the SEC road next week, starting with Tuesday night’s game at Oklahoma, which will mark the Gators’ first visit to Norman for a conference game. The Sooners (11-4, 1-1), who will represent a third straight Quadrant 1 opportunity for the Gators, play at Texas A&M later Saturday afternoon. After playing Oklahoma, UF has a weekend date, Jan. 17, at currently unbeaten, 11th-ranked and SEC front-runner Vanderbilt. Tennessee (11-5, 1-2) is home against A&M Tuesday.
Email senior writer Chris Harry at [email protected]. Find his story archives here.
