Florida never trails while dispatching No. 12 Auburn

Field Level Media|published: Sat 10th February, 17:57 2024

Feb 10, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Auburn Tigers guard Lior Berman (24) drives to the basket against Florida Gators guard Will Richard (5) during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. credits: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Riley Kugel scored 22 points, Walter Clayton Jr. had 20 and Zyon Pullin added 19 as Florida rolled past visiting No. 12 Auburn 81-65 on Saturday in Southeastern Conference play at Gainesville, Fla.

Florida (16-7, 6-4 SEC) won for the fifth time in six games behind a torrid shooting start and a defensive effort that kept Auburn's frontcourt tandem of Johni Broome and Jaylin Williams in check.

The duo, which entered the game averaging over 29 points combined, was held to 18 points.

K.D. Johnson and Broome scored 12 points apiece and Chaney Johnson had nine points and 10 rebounds for Auburn. The Tigers (19-5, 8-3) trailed by as many as 29. Auburn's four losses before Saturday came by a combined 21 points.

Strong starts to both halves boosted the Gators, who benefited from their cushion after enduring a field-goal drought of 9:40 to end the game.

Clayton Jr. drained a trey on the first possession of the afternoon to spark Florida on a 9-0 run. The Gators scored seven of the first nine points of the second half, with Clayton Jr. providing four points during the spurt.

Florida forced Auburn into 15 turnovers while committing just seven. Kugel fell three points shy of his season high while converting a four-point play.

Kugel and Clayton Jr. each hit three 3-pointers. Meanwhile, the Tigers shot 3-for-17 from deep.

Micah Handlogten snagged nine rebounds to help Florida to a 43-41 advantage on the glass. Denver Jones chipped in 10 points for the Tigers.

Florida clicked from the floor from the outset, starting 4-for-6 en route to shooting 48.5 percent in the first half — including 36.4 percent from deep.

Defense and efficiency helped the Gators take a 42-26 lead into halftime, as well. Florida forced eight first-half turnovers while committing just three, and outscored Auburn 11-2 in points off turnovers.

The Tigers slumped to a 10-for-31 effort from the floor in the first half while connecting on just one of 12 attempts from deep. Auburn didn't reach double figures until Chaney Johnson hit a jumper with 8:50 remaining before the break.

The Gators extended their recent run of success against the Tigers, winning for the 15th time in the past 19 meetings between the schools.

—Field Level Media

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