GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Alijah Martin tallied 18 points, with Denzel Aberdeen contributing 16, as the No. 8 Florida team dismantled top-ranked Tennessee 73-43 on Tuesday night to hand the last remaining unbeaten team in Division I basketball their first loss of the season.
Alex Condon also played a key role with 12 points and 12 rebounds, securing his second double-double of the season. The Gators (14-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) secured their third victory over a No. 1-ranked team in school history, marking their first successful attempt in six games at home, while extending their home-winning streak to 16 consecutive games.
Being favored by 2 1/2 points according to BetMGM Sportsbook, Florida dominated the game from start to finish. The Gators quickly took control by scoring the first 12 points of the match, while the Volunteers (14-1, 1-1) struggled to find their rhythm, missing their initial nine shot attempts.
Tennessee managed to convert only four shots in the first half and found themselves trailing by a substantial 36-point deficit late in the game. Chaz Lanier, a former player for North Florida, who recently joined Tennessee, contributed 10 points despite a challenging 3-of-16 shooting performance.
Key Takeaways:
Tennessee: Despite their reputation as one of the top defensive teams in the country, the Vols displayed a solid defensive effort throughout the game, contesting nearly every basket made by Florida. However, their offensive struggles were evident.
Florida: The Gators encountered a minor setback by mistakenly selling student tickets to the general public as part of a holiday package, leading to the relocation of numerous “Rowdy Reptiles” supporters to the upper deck for what turned out to be a significant home game.
Key Moment:
A pivotal moment in the game occurred midway through the first half when Aberdeen and Will Richard sank consecutive 3-pointers, transforming a six-point lead into a commanding 13-point advantage, igniting the home crowd into a state of euphoria.
Key Stat:
Following a defensive lapse in their previous game against Kentucky, where they allowed 14 3-pointers in a high-scoring 106-100 defeat, the Gators tightened up their defense and limited the Vols to a mere 4 of 29 shooting from behind the arc.
Up Next:
Tennessee is set to face Texas on Saturday, while Florida will take on Arkansas later that same evening.
For more college basketball updates and rankings, stay tuned for alerts and updates from the AP Top 25 throughout the season. For additional AP college basketball news, visit https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball.
