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In the first half, both No. 9 Florida and Arizona State were finding their rhythm. The Gators’ Will Richard found his rhythm early and had 10 points within the first few minutes of the game. Walter Clayton Jr. followed suit as he conducted his offense and executed when needed to to get himself to 12 points and 3 assists in the first half. The Sun Devils were down by double digits for the majority of the half, but a late half spell of good play on both ends of the ball brought their deficit back into single digits. Florida led 41-32.
Florida continued the dominance in the second half with a 16-3 run. Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard continued their dominance. The offense began to wake up as the half progressed from Florida. Sam Alexis, Will Richard, and Alijah Martin all had major dunks throughout the last 10 minutes of the half that sent the Florida offense into a spell of scoring.
Florida closed out the game convincingly 83-66 and stayed undefeated at 10-0.
Inside the Gators’ Instant Analysis takes a quick look at how the game unfolded.
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Florida had two massive scoring runs. There was a 16-2 run in the first half and a 16-3 run in the middle of the second half. During the second half run, there were two dunks from Elijah Martin and Sam Alexis that got the momentum in Florida’s favor as both dunks put the Gators up by twenty. The Sun Devils couldn’t climb back after that moment.
THEY STOLE THE SHOW: The Florida guards were the stars of this game. Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard, and Alijah Martin stole the show as they all controlled the floor offensively and defensively. Clayton Jr had 25 points and 3 assists, Richard had 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, and Martin had 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Martin earned a double-double as well. The Florida guards scored 10 less points than the entire Sun Devil team.
THESE STATS DON’T LIE: The Gators outrebounded the Sun Devils 47-27, shot 48% from the field, and led the game for 37:25 seconds. Martin earned a double-double as well. The Florida guards scored 10 less points than the entire Sun Devil team. The Gators are 8-0 when leading at halftime this season. With a win today, the 2024-2025 Gator’s tie with the 1951-1952 team as Florida’s best start to the season at 10-0. Walter Clayton Jr is the second person ever to make five three pointers in three consecutive games.
THIS MATCHUP PROVED KEY: Walter Clayton Jr. and Adam Miller gave some good guard gameplay. They both lead their teams in scoring with Clayton Jr having 25 points and Miller having 18 points. They were both the conductors of their offenses and gave each other some problems on defense too. Clayton had the better day and lead his team to another victory.
WHAT A PLAY: Will Richard drives into the paint and slams the ball down ferociously. What a play by Richard who had himself a fantastic day.
UP NEXT: Florida (10-0) takes a trip to Chapel Hill as they take on the University of North
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