Gators spread the wealth in blowout win over Grambling State

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Gators scored 90-plus points for the fourth time this season and second straight game in their 96-57 win Friday over Grambling State. And they shared the wealth on offense.

UF finished with a whopping 27 assists, marking the team’s most since a 27-assist game vs. Florida A&M on Dec. 5, 2007. That led to five Gators scoring in double figures for the second time this year.

After winning a double overtime game vs. Michigan in the Jumpman Invitational, Florida maintained its edge against the Tigers (2-10), building a 21-point lead in the first half and leading by 30-plus points for the final 9:34 and as much as 43.

“This was obviously not necessarily one of the toughest opponents we’ve played, but it was definitely a clean game,” UF coach Todd Golden said. “When you get a challenge like this — last contest before Christmas break, guys super-excited to get their three days off with their families and get home –sometimes this game can get lost in the wash a little bit, and your energy and enthusiasm to compete isn’t always there.

“But I thought our guys, to a man, did a really good job that way. The thing I’m most excited about, 27 assists tonight. I mean, that’s a heck of a number. Only 10 turnovers. We shot the ball very well, we were efficient, and we were pretty tough. So, really happy with the way we competed in our last effort before the break.”

Junior guard Will Richard had a game-high 17 points and matched his career high with five made 3-pointers (5 of 9). Zyon Pullin scored 14 with a team-high six assists and fellow grad transfer Tyrese Samuel recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Florida shot a season-best .623 from the field, hit 11 of 21 3-point attempts (most made 3-pointers this season) and went 9-for-10 from the free throw line.

“It means a lot,” Samuel said of the win. “It sends us into break with a boost of energy, come back, see family, be ready for Quinnipiac, and then getting ready for SEC play. We played hard for all 40 minutes, and that was what we emphasized the most, playing hard for all 40 minutes, so I feel like, we’re all in good spirits. So, now we go home for Christmas, come back with positive vibes and be ready to play.”

With Riley Kugel out (bruised foot), his high school teammate Denzel Aberdeen stepped up for the Gators. The sophomore guard scored 11 points and dished a career-best five assists.

“My teammates and coaches always say, ‘Be ready for when your name is called,’ no matter how many minutes you may get, and no matter the position you’re in,” Aberdeen said. “With Riley out, I was given an opportunity to show what I can do, and my teammates put me in the right position to score.”

Freshman forward Thomas Haugh posted a career-best 13 points, while freshman center Alex Condon finished with 5 points, seven rebounds and a season-high five assists.

 The Gator bench posted 16 assists vs. two turnovers.

“They’ve been beating the starting five,” Samuel said of the bench’s impact. “When their name is called, they’re all ready to play. They aren’t scared of anyone. I’m happy for them. Tommy, Condo, everyone, they’re all ready. As the games go on, you can see, they’re more experienced. The game slows down, they’re scoring the baskets that they weren’t in the beginning of the season, they’re making the right plays.”

The Gators used their fifth different starting lineup of the season, with Bennett Andersen and Cooper Josefsberg making their collegiate debuts. Andersen, who was a Florida manager for three years, scored his first basket.

“Feels pretty cool. Shout out to Kajus [Kublickas] for that pass, good pass there,” Anderson said. “I haven’t seen the video yet, but I know that when I do, I’m going to see them all going crazy on the bench. Having this really great group of dudes has made it super fun.”

Florida improved to 9-3 and faces Quinnipiac next Saturday at 1 p.m. in the O’Dome. The game will be televised by ESPNU. The Gators have won five straight and are one win away from their goal of going undefeated in December.

“We’ve got plenty that we need to improve upon,” Golden said. “We haven’t consistently played at a super, super high level all year, which is obviously the goal — to reach that peak and be able to sustain it. We still haven’t really had everybody clicking on all cylinders at the same time. Obviously, we played well tonight, but Riley was out, and he’s going to be a big part of our group as we get into conference play.

“In our locker room, we know we have a lot of room to improve in different areas, whether it be offensively or defensively, and that should be exciting that we’re able to be 9-3 right now. … I do believe our best basketball is in front of us with this group, and that’s the carrot that we’re dangling. And the hope is that we can reach that high level as we get into SEC play.”