In the season‑opening showdown at the Benchmark International Arena, the No. 1 Florida Gators secured a 77‑67 victory over No. 14 Miami Hurricanes on Monday night. The win highlighted the Gators’ disciplined play and the standout performance of senior forward Thomas Haugh.
Haugh’s all‑around dominance
Haugh, the preseason SEC Player of the Year and a likely lottery pick had he entered the NBA draft, posted a double‑double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. He contributed five offensive boards, four assists, two steals and a block while avoiding a turnover. From beyond the arc, Haugh was efficient, connecting on four of eight attempts.
Supporting cast and key moments
Teammate Rueben Chinyelu added six points and a team‑high 14 rebounds, reinforcing Florida’s interior presence. The Gators also benefited from the timely play of Isaiah Brown, whose put‑back dunk after a missed Haugh shot gave Florida a 44‑32 lead early in the second half.
Miami briefly narrowed the gap to 53‑51 when Somto Cyril followed a missed free throw with a dunk, but Florida responded with staunch defense, holding the Hurricanes scoreless for a five‑minute stretch. Urban Klavzar’s three‑pointer helped push the lead to 66‑55, and the Gators never looked back.
Physicality and discipline
The contest featured two technical fouls and three calls that were upgraded to flagrant fouls, underscoring the physical nature of the in‑state rivalry. Florida’s ability to retain its core roster over multiple seasons was evident in the team’s cohesion and effort.
Looking ahead
Florida will host Jacksonville on Thursday night, while Miami prepares to welcome Wagner on Friday. Both programs will aim to build on the early‑season momentum demonstrated in this opening battle.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
