Florida Gators Dominate Texas A&M After Upsetting Loss

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The No. 3 Florida Gators rebounded from a recent upset loss by defeating No. 12 Texas A&M 89-70 on Saturday night at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. This victory improved Florida’s record to 25-4 overall and 12-4 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), while the Aggies fell to 20-9 and 9-7 in the SEC.

Florida guard Will Richard led all scorers with 25 points, making six 3-pointers in a standout performance. Forward Alex Condon, returning from an ankle injury, contributed 17 points to help propel the Gators.

As a team, Florida displayed remarkable shooting accuracy, knocking down 14 3-pointers, compared to Texas A&M’s five. This offensive display was indicative of Florida’s strategy, as they had previously averaged a high number of 3-point attempts throughout the season.

“We knew we had to bounce back after the loss to Georgia. It’s great to see our team come together and execute like this,” said Condon after the game.

Florida’s strong performance was crucial after suffering an unexpected defeat to unranked Georgia earlier in the week. In that game, Florida lost 88-83, marking a stark contrast to their play on Saturday night.

The Gators quickly established their lead against the Aggies, who struggled from the start. Within the first half, Florida overcame an early deficit to hold a 45-34 advantage at halftime, aided by a strong shooting performance from guard Alijah Martin, who scored all 12 of his points from beyond the arc.

In the second half, Florida maintained control, expanding their lead to as much as 27 points with Richard leading the way. “We executed our game plan perfectly and found open shots when we needed them,” Richard said. “I just wanted to help my team get a win.”

Texas A&M failed to recover from Florida’s offensive surge and marked their fourth consecutive loss in the SEC, struggling to find rhythm against Florida’s defense which limited their effectiveness both inside and beyond the arc.

In the closing minutes of the game, the Gators showcased their depth, with five players scoring in double figures. This victory not only boosts Florida’s confidence but also solidifies their position in the rankings ahead of the SEC Tournament.

The Gators will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup, further solidifying their hopes for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.