Florida Nearly Stuns Duke at Cameron, But Late Miscues Seal the Gators’ Fate
In a game that had all the makings of a signature upset, Florida clawed back from a brutal first half to push No. 4 Duke to the brink at Cameron Indoor Stadium. But when the final buzzer sounded, it was the Blue Devils who escaped with the win, and the Gators who were left wondering what could’ve been.
This one was a tale of two halves - and then some. Florida, ranked No. 15 coming in, looked completely outmatched early. But in the second half, they flipped the script and nearly stole one in one of college basketball’s toughest road environments.
The Finish: Chaos in the Final Seconds
With 35 seconds left, sophomore guard Boogie Fland buried a clutch three to give Florida a two-point lead - the kind of moment that silences even the rowdiest of Cameron crowds. But Duke answered right back, capitalizing on a defensive miscue to knock down a wide-open triple of their own with 21 seconds remaining. That shot proved to be the game-winner.
Fland, who had scored nine of the Gators’ last 11 points, had the ball in his hands again with a chance to win it. But a costly turnover - dribbling the ball off his leg - gave Duke the possession.
The Blue Devils missed the front end of a one-and-one, leaving Florida with 1.5 seconds and one last shot. But a deflected inbounds pass sealed the deal, and with it, a missed opportunity for a signature win.
The Comeback: Gators Find Life After Halftime
Florida came out of the locker room with a different energy. Down big, they ripped off a 14-2 run to slash the deficit and followed it with a quick 5-0 burst to pull within one. Even as turnovers crept in - a theme that haunted them all night - the Gators kept swinging.
Junior forward Thomas Haugh and junior guard Urban Klavžar hit back-to-back threes to keep the pressure on Duke. Then Fland went to work, scoring six straight to tie the game during an 8-2 stretch. But every time Florida threatened to take control, Duke had an answer - most notably from Cameron Boozer, who strung together five straight of his own to keep the Blue Devils ahead.
First Half Woes: A Hole Too Deep
Florida’s first half was, frankly, hard to watch. They shot just 10-of-35 from the field and a dismal 3-of-16 from deep. Duke used a 17-2 run to break open a tied game and build a 15-point lead before halftime.
There was a controversial missed goaltending call during that stretch - a no-call that turned into a four-point swing the other way. But even with 10 offensive rebounds and eight extra shot attempts, the Gators managed just two second-chance points in the first half. That’s the kind of stat that keeps coaches up at night.
Individual Standouts: Haugh and Fland Lead the Charge
Haugh was the steadying force all game long. The junior forward dropped a team-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting and added six rebounds. He matched Boozer bucket for bucket for much of the night and was the most consistent presence on the floor for Florida.
Fland had a rough start but came alive after the break, scoring 13 of his 16 points in the second half - including nine of the team’s final 11. He made big plays down the stretch but also committed a game-high four turnovers, including the critical one in the final seconds.
In the paint, junior center Rueben Chinyelu and junior forward/center Alex Condon were physical and effective. Condon recorded a double-double, and the duo combined for 24 of Florida’s 44 rebounds. They were instrumental in limiting Boozer’s damage inside - no small task.
The Rotation Question: Lee’s Struggles Continue
Senior guard Xaivian Lee’s shooting woes hit a new low. He finished 1-of-10 from the field and 1-of-6 from three, with just one assist.
On the season, he’s shooting just 24.7% from the floor and 21% from deep - a steep drop from his junior year at Princeton. His assist numbers are down too, and right now, he’s not offering enough on either end to justify major minutes.
The numbers don’t lie: the Gators have been more fluid and effective when Lee’s on the bench. It’s a tough call for head coach Todd Golden, but the rotation may need a shakeup as conference play looms.
By the Numbers: Missed Chances Add Up
- Florida is now 4-15 all-time against Duke and 0-6 at Cameron Indoor.
- The Gators haven’t played Duke in Gainesville since 1937 - yes, you read that right.
- UF is 29-67 all-time against top-five opponents, but 6-4 under Golden.
- The Gators are 0-3 this season when opponents shoot 44.5% or better or attempt more free throws.
- Florida had just four assists - their fewest in a game in six years.
- Despite grabbing 20 offensive boards (48% of their misses), they only converted that into 15 second-chance points.
- Duke’s 11 blocks were a game-changer, especially in negating Florida’s inside presence.
What This Means for the Gators
There’s no such thing as a moral victory on the road, especially when the resume doesn’t get any credit for a close loss. But Florida showed something in that second half - resilience, toughness, and a sense of urgency that’s been missing at times this season.
This wasn’t a talent gap. Duke didn’t outclass Florida - they just executed better in the big moments. A missed call here, a turnover there, and the Gators walk away empty-handed.
Still, if Florida can bottle that second-half energy and clean up the turnovers, they’ll be a tough out come SEC play. But that starts with making hard decisions - especially in the backcourt.
What’s Next
The Gators get a week to regroup before facing another heavyweight. They’ll take on No.
5 UConn at Madison Square Garden next Tuesday in the Jimmy V Classic - a primetime showdown that tips at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Another top-five opponent. Another big stage. And another chance for Florida to prove it belongs in the national conversation.