Xaivian Lee helps No. 18 Florida slide past George Washington

Xaivian Lee scored a game-high 24 points, and Thomas Haugh added 19, leading No. 18 Florida to an 80-70, neutral-court win over George Washington on Saturday afternoon in Sunrise, Florida.

Boogie Fland added 12 points for the Gators, who also got five points, a game-high nine rebounds and a game-high seven assists from Alex Condon.

The Gators (6-4), the reigning national champs, broke a two-game losing streak, outscoring the Revolutionaries 18-4 on fast-break points.

George Washington (8-4) lost its second straight game. The Revolutionaries were led by Trey Autry (15 points), Tyrone Marshall Jr. (14 points, three steals), and Rafael Castro (12 points, three steals). Marshall was especially efficient, making 6-of-8 shots, including 2-of-2 on 3-pointers.

Haugh (11 points) and Lee (10) were the top first-half scorers as Florida went into the break with a slim 30-27 lead.

There were four lead changes in that opening half. George Washington took its first lead at 18-17 on a Castro layup with 7:44 left. But the Gators closed the half on an 11-5 run.

Neither team shot the ball well in those opening 20 minutes. George Washington shot just 37.5 percent, including 3 of 12 on 3-pointers, and GW went 0-for-4 on free throws. Florida shot 36.7 percent, including 4 of 19 on 3-pointers. The Gators made 4 of 10 free throws.

Florida, though, started the second half on an 11-0 run, forcing a GWU timeout. The Gators scored on two layups, one dunk and five free throws during that span.

The Gators cruised from there, although George Washington did have a 9-0 run midway through the second half.

For the game, Florida shot 50 percent from the floor, including 6 of 27 on 3-pointers (22.2 percent). Florida shot 20 of 33 on free throws (60.6 percent)

George Washington shot 41.5 percent from the floor, including 9 of 26 on 3-pointers (34.6 percent). GWU shot 7 of 19 on free throws (36.8 percent).

--Field Level Media