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Florida ended its historic season (27-4, 14-4 SEC) with a 90-71 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels (21-10, 10-8 SEC) Saturday night before a sold-out crowd. The Gators continue to make their case for a No. 1 Big Dance seed, as they now look towards the SEC Tournament.
Inside the Gators’ Instant Analysis takes a quick look at how the game unfolded.
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Despite opening the game by going 2-of-10 from three, the whole tone of the game changed just minutes into the second half, leading by as much as 22 points. Midway through the half, however, Senior Walter Clayton Jr. hit back-to-back threes to push the lead to 20.
THEY STOLE THE SHOW: Alex Condon and Walter Clayton Jr. went on a tear extending throughout both halves. With just over four minutes remaining in the first half, Condon had already recorded eight points and 10 rebounds. He would open up the second half with consecutive shots and the rest was history. Clayton shot 9-for-17 from three and 5-for-11 from the field, finishing with 23 points while leading the team in assists with eight.
THESE STATS DON’T LIE: With how important the seniors have been, there’s a glimmer for the future in seeing sophomore Alex Condon play as well as he has this late into the year. He ended the regular season recording yet another double-double, scoring 17 points, and pulling down 15 rebounds.
THIS MATCHUP PROVED KEY: Ole Miss guard Sean Pedulla leads the Rebels in scoring and continued to keep the Rebels within striking distance in the first half, but he could only do so much. Leading the team in points tonight, the next-closest was Jaylen Murray with 12.
WHAT A PLAY: Just a couple minutes into the second half, Clayton Jr. moved the ball down the court, before deciding to pull it from deep, blowing the top off the arena.
UP NEXT: Florida now looks towards solidifying its case for the No. 1 seed as they head to the SEC Tournament next week. The Gators head into the tournament with plenty of momentum, winning nine of their last 10 games to finish the season.
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