The Florida Gators’ basketball team faced a challenging match in their first close contest of the 2024-25 season, eking out a 90-84 victory against North Carolina at the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina. The win keeps the Gators, now ranked No. 7, with an impressive unbeaten record of 11-0, although the game proved to be a hard-fought battle.
In front of a raucous crowd of nearly 19,000 at the Spectrum Center, Florida initially surged ahead with a 17-point lead in the first half. However, the team struggled to maintain that advantage and found themselves trailing 81-77 with just over four minutes left. Nevertheless, Florida mounted a fierce comeback, going on a decisive 13-3 run to secure the win.
Key player Will Richard played a pivotal role, scoring a vital putback that put Florida ahead 86-84 with 53.3 seconds remaining. After a missed three-pointer by UNC’s RJ Davis, Florida managed to control the clock, and despite a missed three-point shot from Alijah Martin, Thomas Haugh grabbed a crucial rebound and was fouled. Haugh coolly sank both free throws, bringing Florida’s lead to 88-84.
Richard led all scorers with 22 points, while Martin contributed 19 points. For North Carolina, Davis stood out with a remarkable 29 points. This victory marks Florida’s first win against the Tar Heels since their Final Four triumph in 2000, and improves their all-time record against them to 3-4.
Interestingly, this was Florida’s first game decided by a single-digit margin this season; prior to this, they had dominated their opponents with an average victory margin of 21.1 points.
The game presented several key takeaways:
1. **Strong Start**: Florida capitalized early with a quick 10-0 run, significantly silencing the UNC fans. The Gators shot well from the field, leading to a 46-34 score at halftime, with Richard leading the way.
2. **Second Half Struggles**: The Gators faltered at the start of the second half, allowing the Tar Heels to mount an 11-0 run that nearly erased Florida’s lead.
3. **Turnover Troubles**: Florida’s 17 turnovers were a major concern, contributing to 24 points for North Carolina off those mistakes. The team will need to tighten its ball-handling moving forward.
In summary, the Gators showcased resilience and the ability to perform under pressure, a quality that could prove essential as the season progresses. With key adjustments and continued teamwork, Florida looks poised to build upon their successful start and tackle future challenges with confidence.