FINAL: FLORIDA 91, NORTH FLORIDA 60
| 1st | 2nd | OT | FINAL | |
| FLORIDA | 45 | 46 | X | 91 |
| N. FLORIDA | 25 | 35 | X | 60 |
JACKSONVILLE, FL- The Florida Gators defeated the North Florida Ospreys in their first true away game of the 2016-17 season. In a rematch of last season’s NIT opening round game, Florida dominated, shooting 59% from the field while limiting UNF to 38% shooting. For the first time in more than two years Florida entered a game ranked in the Top 25. Florida faces the #5 Duke Blue Devils in Madison Square Garden in New York on Tuesday.
Chris Chiozza led the Gators with 16 points and 9 assists in only 26 minutes of play. Chiozza also only turned the ball over one time while fellow point guard Kasey Hill scored five points on five shot attempts, assisted on five baskets, and turned the ball over four times. Justin Leon added 13 points and Canyon Barry scored twelve more points off the bench.
Dallas Moore led North Florida with 31 points. North Florida cut the lead to 48-36 after Moore scored six straight points, but the Gators fought back and dominated the remainder of the second half using a 23-5 run to stretch the lead.
Florida defeated North Florida in this same arena in the NIT last year 97-68
Florida will face North Florida at UNF Arena in Jacksonville on Thursday night.
ATTENDANCE: 4,113
RECORDS:
- FLORIDA: 7-1
- NORTH FLORIDA: 3-6
Team Stats:
| FLORIDA | N. FLORIDA | |
| FG % | 59 | 38 |
| 3-PT % | 47 | 27 |
| FT % | 71 | 74 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 7 | 10 |
| Total Rebounds | 21 | 29 |
| Assists | 17 | 2 |
| Steals | 8 | 4 |
| Blocks | 3 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 20 |
What’s Next:
#24 FLORIDA GATORS VS #5 DUKE BLUE DEVILS
DECEMBER 6, 2016 at 9:00 PM
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK CITY
(Photo taken during Florida-Gonzaga game at HP Field house in Lake Buena Vista, FL)