GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Alijah Martin scored 18 factors, Denzel Aberdeen added 16 and No. 8 Florida thumped top-ranked Tennessee 73-43 on Tuesday night time to knock off the final unbeaten crew in males’s Division I basketball.
Alex Condon chipped in 12 factors and 12 rebounds for his second double-double this season because the Gators (14-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) beat a No. 1 crew for the third time at school historical past — the primary in six tries at house — and prolonged their house successful streak to 16.
Florida, a 2½-point favourite in line with the BetMGM sportsbook, dominated from the opening tip. The Gators scored the primary 12 factors because the Volunteers (14-1, 1-1) missed their first 9 photographs.
The Vols made 4 photographs within the first 20 minutes and trailed by 36 factors late in entrance of 11,011 followers.
“Tonight, we performed with nice bodily and psychological toughness,” Florida coach Todd Golden mentioned. “All eight guys that performed answered the bell, and we clearly guarded extremely nicely tonight. … It’s an incredible outcome for us.”
Chaz Lanier, who performed 4 seasons at North Florida earlier than signing with Tennessee, scored 10 factors on 3-of-16 taking pictures for the Vols.
“This could possibly be good for us,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes mentioned after the loss. “We’ll study from it.”
One of the very best defensive groups within the nation, the Vols have been stable on that finish of the courtroom. Just about each basket Florida made was contested. The offensive finish, nonetheless, was a special story.
Aberdeen and Will Richard hit back-to-back 3s for Florida halfway by means of the primary half, turning a six-point lead right into a 13-point benefit and sending the group right into a frenzy.
The Gators did mess one factor up: They bought scholar tickets to the general public as a part of a three-game vacation bundle. Police needed to escort dozens of indignant college students out of their traditional courtside seats earlier than tipoff.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
