The Florida Gators demonstrated resilience in their first tight contest of the 2024-25 season, edging out North Carolina with a 90-84 victory at the Jumpman Invitational held in Charlotte, North Carolina. Despite trailing late in the game, Florida maintained its unbeaten record, improving to 11-0 this season.
Initially, the Gators jumped to a commanding 17-point lead in the first half, only to see it evaporate as they found themselves down 81-77 with just over four minutes remaining. However, a critical 13-3 run allowed Florida to secure the win. Senior guard Will Richard was instrumental, scoring a crucial putback with 53 seconds left, putting the Gators ahead for good. Richard led the team with 22 points, while guard Alijah Martin added another 19 points. In contrast, North Carolina’s RJ Davis stood out for his team, scoring 29 points in the effort.
This victory holds particular significance as it marks Florida’s first triumph over the Tar Heels since their Final Four meeting in April 2000, bringing their all-time record against UNC to 3-4. Moreover, this win was notable as it was UF’s first single-digit victory of the season, having previously won all their games by an average margin of 21.1 points.
Key moments in the game included a fast start for Florida, where they executed a solid early offense led by back-to-back 3-pointers from Walter Clayton Jr. and Richard. However, the Gators faced challenges as they allowed North Carolina back into the game at the start of the second half, which included a damaging 11-0 run. Additionally, Florida’s struggle with turnovers saw them give up 17, resulting in 24 points for UNC capitalizing on those mistakes.
In summary, Florida’s victory showcases both the team’s early-season successes and the areas needing improvement as they look ahead. The ability to perform under pressure is critical, and the Gators demonstrated they could do just that. With the season underway, fans can remain optimistic about what’s to come from this promising squad.