Florida Gators Trounce Grambling State Tigers, 96-57
Photo: Will Richard; Credit: Zach Goodall
Junior wing Will Richard’s five three-pointers led the Florida Gators to a blowout victory over the visiting Grambling State Tigers on Friday afternoon in Gainesville, 96-57.
Richard’s 17 points on the night led the Gators’ dominant scoring effort en route to the 39-point rout of their opponent from the SWAC.
The performance was exactly what head coach Todd Golden asked for from his team prior to the tune-up matchup against the team ranked No. 347 in the NET.
“We accomplished what we needed to tonight,” Golden said postgame on Friday.
The Gators leaped out to a hot start with a variety of contributors making a mark early.
Florida’s initial surge — allowing the unit to jump out to an 11-point lead — was quickly trimmed as Grambling State took advantage of the Gators' carelessness with the basketball to pull back within four.
Antwan Burnett’s six points during the stretch highlighted the Tigers' efforts to pull within striking distance of the Gators with under 10 minutes to play in the half.
However, Florida managed to outscore GSU 23-10 in the final 8:15 to head into the locker room break leading by 17.
Seven of the ten players to see the floor for Todd Golden’s squad recorded a point during the period. Tyrese Samuel and Denzel Aberdeen led the scoring charge with nine points apiece while Richard and Walter Clayton Jr. posted eight each.
When the two units returned from half, Florida pressed down on the gas pedal to quickly blow open the contest, allowing UF to empty its bench with walk-one Alex Klatsky, Jack May, Cooper Josefsberg and Bennett Anderson playing in the final minutes.
Samuel finished with his fifth double-double of the 2023-24 campaign, accounting for 15 points and 10 rebounds on the evening.
Veteran guard Zyon Pullin continued producing at a high clip following his 22-point, five-assist outing in the Gators double-overtime win over Michigan on Tuesday.
He closed the night with 14 points and a team-high six assists without recording a single turnover.
Florida finished the night shooting 62% from the floor, 52% from three and 90% from the free throw line with five scorers in double digits, thoroughly taking advantage of the get-right opportunity to correct recent inconsistency shooting from the floor and the charity stripe.
Florida will remain home to close out the 2023 calendar year when it faces Quinnipiac on Saturday, Dec. 30. SEC play begins with the Gators hosting the No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats on Jan. 6.
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