The Florida Gators, led by head coach Todd Golden, continue to make waves in the 2024-25 basketball season, securing their 24th win with a 79-65 victory over the LSU Tigers on Saturday night. Though the Gators pulled off a double-digit win, the game wasn’t as smooth as the score suggests.
Florida started strong, building an early lead, but the Tigers roared back with a 22-2 run late in the first half, leaving the Gators trailing by six at halftime. LSU’s defensive pressure and three-point shooting put Florida on its heels, forcing adjustments at the break.
“We came out playing very well, but credit to LSU—they really challenged us in the first half,” Golden said. “At halftime, we had to recalibrate, get back to defending, and impose our will in the second half.”
Florida responded with a dominant second-half performance, outscoring LSU 48-29. The Gators improved their shooting percentage from 30% in the first half to 56% in the second, with Johni Broome and Denver Jones leading the charge. Broome delivered a career-best 31 points, alongside 13 rebounds, while Jones added 17 points despite early foul trouble.
“Johni was incredible tonight,” Golden said. “He imposed his will on the glass and finished around the rim. His growth over the past few weeks has been remarkable.”
Forward Thomas Haugh also made a significant impact after a slow start, scoring crucial points in the second half, including several highlight-reel dunks.
“Tommy kept us organized and made big-time plays,” Golden noted. “He stepped up when we needed him the most.”
Defensively, the Gators successfully neutralized LSU’s star guard Cam Carter, holding him to just seven points. Golden praised his team’s discipline, saying, “Our guys made every look tough for him. We frustrated him and executed the scouting report perfectly.”
Looking ahead, the Gators will face the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens on Tuesday, Feb. 25, aiming to build on their momentum as the regular season winds down.
With 24 wins and just three losses, Florida is firmly positioned as a top contender heading into March. As Golden noted, “This group competes every night, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far. But there’s still work to be done.”
The game against Georgia tips off at 7 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
