The No. 5 Florida Gators men’s basketball team ended their regular season on a high note, delivering a resounding 90-71 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels at the sold-out O’Connell Center. This dominating performance marked a fitting conclusion to the Gators’ home schedule, as they celebrated Senior Night in style
Walter Clayton Jr. stole the show, putting on an explosive display that included five 3-pointers, 23 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Clayton’s outstanding effort was complemented by forward Alex Condon, who notched his second consecutive double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Alijah Martin and Will Richard also made significant contributions, scoring 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The Gators’ offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting 49% from the field and connecting on 14 three-pointers. Their 14-0 run early in the second half proved to be the decisive blow, pushing the Rebels to the brink.
Ole Miss guard Sean Pedulla did his best to keep the Rebels in contention, shooting 4 of 6 from 3-point range and 7 of 13 from the field. However, his valiant efforts ultimately proved insufficient against the Gators’ onslaught.
With this convincing win, the Gators concluded their regular season with a 27-4 overall record and a 14-4 mark in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). As they head into the postseason, Florida will be looking to carry this momentum forward and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
The Gators’ Senior Night celebration was a resounding success, with Clayton, Martin, and Richard all playing key roles in the victory. This talented trio will be sorely missed next season, but for now, they remain focused on leading their team to greatness in the postseason.
As the Gators embark on their postseason journey, they will be relying on their depth, talent, and experience to propel them forward. With their dominating win over Ole Miss, Florida has sent a clear message to the rest of the college basketball world: they are a force to be reckoned with, and they will not be underestimated.
