Florida Triumphs Over George Washington, 80-70
In the Orange Bowl Classic held at Amerant Arena in Sunrise, Florida, the Gators secured an 80-70 victory over George Washington. Senior guard Xaivian Lee played a pivotal role in this triumph, scoring a career-high 24 points, including four three-pointers.
Key Performers and Game Highlights
- Xaivian Lee: 24 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and game MVP.
- Thomas Haugh: 19 points, 7 rebounds, notable for his second-half dunks.
- Boogie Fland: Contributed 12 points and 5 assists.
- Alex Condon: Scored 5 points, leading with 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
Florida’s performance was marked by a shooting accuracy of 50% overall, improving to 66.7% in the second half. Meanwhile, George Washington struggled, particularly at the free-throw line, converting only 7 of 19 attempts (36.8%).
Game Flow and Turning Points
The Gators led 30-27 at halftime, despite shooting just 36.7% in the first period. However, they exploded out of the locker room with an 11-0 run to extend their lead to 14 points early in the second half.
With less than eight minutes remaining, Florida built a 20-point advantage, but George Washington attempted to rally with a 9-0 run. Florida countered effectively, with a sequence of three spectacular dunks that revitalized their lead.
Statistics Summary
| Team | Field Goals | 3-Point % | Free Throws | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 50% (28-56) | 22.2% (6-27) | 21-27 | 36 |
| George Washington | 47.4% (26-55) | 36.8% (7-19) | 7-19 | 32 |
Looking Ahead
Following this victory, Florida improved to a 6-4 record. They will face Saint Francis, a team struggling with a 2-8 record. This upcoming game marks Florida’s first home match in 26 days.
Stay updated with El-Balad for more coverage of the Gators and their performance this season.
