The Florida Gators closed out their regular season in style on Saturday night, securing a dominant 90-71 win over Ole Miss. The victory, which capped off a remarkable 27-4 regular-season record, showcased the team’s depth and resilience, led by standout performances from seniors Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard.
Clayton, who was playing in his final home game at Exactech Arena, was the star of the show, scoring a game-high 23 points. He connected on five 3-pointers, dished out eight assists, and grabbed five rebounds. His offensive outburst in the second half was key to Florida pulling away from the Rebels, who never got closer than 14 points after a strong 14-0 run by the Gators.
“It’s exciting times,” said sophomore forward Alex Condon, who also had a big game with 17 points and 15 rebounds. His second consecutive double-double helped secure the Gators’ eighth win in their last nine games, as Florida shot 49.2 percent from the field, including 14 made 3-pointers.
The Gators’ defense was just as impressive. They held Ole Miss to just 33.3 percent shooting and controlled the boards, winning the rebounding battle 48-36. Florida’s offensive and defensive balance was evident, as they led for all but 47 seconds in the game.
Despite early struggles with turnovers—Florida committed nine in the first half—the Gators went into halftime with a 38-31 lead. Ole Miss briefly threatened after halftime, cutting the Gator lead to just three points at 40-37. However, Florida quickly regained control with a dominant stretch that saw Clayton lead the charge, knocking down consecutive 3-pointers, followed by a few timely buckets from Martin and Condon.
“I thought Walt really took the top off their defense in the second half,” Florida coach Todd Golden said. “Once we were able to extend our lead, we felt comfortable.”
This win secured Florida the No. 2 seed in the upcoming SEC Tournament, where they will receive a two-day bye and begin play in the quarterfinals on Friday. The Gators are now poised for a deep run in both the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament, with many experts believing they should earn a No. 1 seed come March Madness.
For the three seniors—Clayton, Martin, and Richard—the win marked an emotional night. Their journey to Florida has been instrumental in the Gators’ resurgence to national prominence. As the team prepares for the next stage of the season, the seniors’ leadership will be key in guiding Florida through the challenges ahead.
“Florida welcomed me with open arms, and I’ve loved every minute of it,” Clayton reflected. “Now, we have more to accomplish.”
