ChompTalk.com

The Florida Gators (18-7) had their hands full in Saturday’s SEC matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs (14-11). However, the Gators proved to be the better team down the stretch, winning 88-82.

It was Florida’s 8th win in their last 9 games, as Todd Golden’s squad continues to pick up momentum with March on the horizon.

Five different Gators scored in double digits, and unsurprisingly, junior guard Walter Clayton Jr. was the team’s leading scorer with 21 points.

However, the matchup’s real x-factor was Florida freshman forward Thomas Haugh. Haugh scored a career-high 17 points while adding seven rebounds, four of which were on the offensive end. Haugh also made three of his four three-point attempts.

Senior guard Zyon Pullin added 16 for Florida, while sophomore guard Will Richard scored 10 points, seven of which came from the free throw line. Also, freshman forward Alex Condon picked up 10 more Gator points.

However, despite the Gators’ scoring onslaught, they trailed by six at halftime, as the Bulldogs shot 60% from the field in the game’s first half.

Georgia was led by senior guard Noah Thomasson, who had 26 points, including five made three-pointers.

The Bulldogs also received good play from their man up the middle, senior center Russel Tchewa. Tchewa had 15 points but struggled from the free-throw line, where he shot five for 10.

Tchewa also had five turnovers in the contest, and the Bulldogs turned the ball over 14 times as a team, compared to the Gators’ eight.

Florida also continued their strong work on the glass, winning the rebound battle 38-31, and racking up 15 offensive boards.

Now 8-4 in conference play, the surging Gators will face another Quad 1 opponent as they head to Tuscaloosa to face the SEC leaders, No. 15 Alabama (18-7 overall, 10-2 in conference play). That matchup takes place on Wednesday night.