Gators open the Todd Golden era with 81-45 win over Stony Brook
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators men’s basketball team opened the 2022-23 season Monday with an 81-45 win over Stony Brook in the coaching debut for Todd Golden, the youngest coach in the SEC.
UF had a trio of players finish in double figures, led by LSU transfer Alex Fudge (16 points) and Belmont transfer Will Richard (14 points). Florida boat raced the Seawolves at the start of both halves.
The Gators jumped out an 18-point lead in the first period, sparked by buckets from starting forwards Colin Castleton and CJ Felder. Then top-50 recruit Riley Kugel and Fudge checked in and scored 10 straight points off the bench to make it 22-3.
From there, however, Stony Brook edged the Gators 19-16 over the final 11 minutes of the opening half. The Seawolves knocked down four 3-pointers during that stretch, while Florida finished the half shooting just 20 percent from beyond the arc (3-for-15).
Up 38-22 at the break, UF outscored Stony Brook 22-5 during the first 11 minutes of the second period to build a 30-plus point lead. Richard scored 10 points during this run, including a pair of 3-pointers that got the Gators going from downtown.
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Kyle Lofton, Kowacie Reeves and Fudge also hit treys as Florida made five of its first six 3-point attempts in the second half, finishing the game 40 percent from long range (10-for-25).
Castleton then scored back-to-back buckets, slamming home an alley-oop from Myreon Jones and knocking down a jumper. The preseason first-team All-SEC selection finished with 13 points, five rebounds and four blocks.
Frankie Policelli led Stony Brook with 11 points. The Gators (1-0) will be back in the O’Dome on Friday for a 7 p.m. tip against Kennesaw State. The Seawolves host Miami Hamilton on Friday.
