Florida Basketball: Gators dominate first half and roll against FSU
![Nov 17, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots the ball during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports Nov 17, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots the ball during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/78d3f2a401872a5893141bfa70af1b2a618795981ffef6f820e6bec22cf16b5c.jpg)
Florida basketball looked to make a statement on Friday and did so with an 89-68 victory over the FSU.
The game was never in doubt as the Gators dominated the first half and cruised home in the second.
Florida Basketball: That was fun
The first half saw Florida put their foot on the gas and never let up. The Gators pieced together a 28-5 run that resulted in a 36-9 lead. Guard Walter Clayton Jr. stood out with 19 points and 5 assists, while the Gators dominated the glass with a 28-9 rebounding edge in the first half.
Guard Zyon Pullin made his Gator debut after a three-game suspension to start the season. He contributed 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and just one turnover.
The Gators took a 52-22 lead into halftime, and the Seminoles never really made it interesting in the second half.
One sore spot for Florida was their free throw shooting, going 21/36 for a 61% success rate. And while the Gators are not putting up three-point shots are nearly the rate Todd Golden had his San Fransico squad putting them up, the Gators were a respectable 38% shooting from three.
Up next for Florida basketball is a trip to Brooklyn, NY, to take part in the NIT Season Tip-Off. The Gators will play Pitt on Wednesday and either Baylor or Oregon State on Friday.