Gators Dominate Saint Francis in Homecoming Blowout
After nearly a month away from home, Florida returned to the O’Connell Center and wasted no time reminding everyone why they’re one of the more physically imposing teams in college basketball. The Gators rolled to a 102-61 win over Saint Francis on Wednesday night, using their size, depth, and relentless rebounding to overwhelm the Red Flash from the opening tip.
This one wasn’t about drama-it was about dominance.
A Statement Start and Relentless Pressure
Florida came out firing, with all five starters getting on the board early. Xaivian Lee opened the scoring with a smooth finish at the rim, and by the first media timeout, the Gators had already built an 11-2 lead.
From there, they never looked back. The frontcourt duo of Rueben Chinyelu and Alex Condon set the tone, combining for 16 early points and controlling the glass against an undersized Saint Francis squad.
By the under-eight timeout in the first half, Florida had stretched the lead to 34-12. CJ Ingram knocked down a corner three, and the Gators’ defense continued to smother Saint Francis, who went 0-for-6 from beyond the arc in the first half. At the break, Florida led 47-23, holding their opponent to just 11-of-31 shooting.
Second-Half Showcase
The second half was more of the same-Florida’s depth and athleticism simply overwhelmed Saint Francis. Isaiah Brown brought the crowd to its feet with a two-handed slam, and Lee added his second three-pointer of the night to extend the lead to 76-41. At one point, the Gators pushed the margin to 91-48, with bench players like Viktor Mikic and Olivier Rioux getting some late-game run.
Rioux, the 7-foot-9 freshman, checked in with under two minutes to play, drawing a roar from the crowd as Florida crossed the 100-point mark. It was that kind of night-everyone got involved, and the Gators looked every bit the part of a team that’s rounding into form.
Lee Leading the Charge
Xaivian Lee continues to be a steady force for the Gators. Coming off a 24-point performance over the weekend, he stayed hot, showcasing his ability to score at all three levels.
Over his last four games, Lee is averaging nearly 17 points per game and has been efficient from deep, knocking down 10 threes in that stretch. He’s also contributing across the board-grabbing nearly six rebounds per game and maintaining a strong assist-to-turnover ratio (14 assists to just six turnovers).
Chinyelu Cleaning the Glass
Rueben Chinyelu’s rebounding numbers are turning heads, and for good reason. He’s averaging 10.7 boards per game and had already posted six double-digit rebounding efforts heading into this one.
His 21-rebound night earlier this season tied the O’Dome record and was the most by a Gator in over four decades. Against Saint Francis, he once again controlled the paint, helping Florida dominate the boards and limit second-chance opportunities.
A Welcome Return Home
This win kicked off a three-game holiday homestand for Florida, who had played just three of their previous 19 games at home. The return to Gainesville couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Gators entered the night leading the nation in offensive rebounds per game (16.7) and ranking second in both rebounding margin (+13.5) and total rebounds per game (46.4). That physicality was on full display against Saint Francis.
Looking Ahead
Florida’s non-conference schedule has been no joke. According to KenPom, it ranks as the eighth-toughest in the country, and the Gators are one of just four power-conference teams with a top-25 strength of schedule. With SEC play looming, performances like this-where the Gators flex their depth, size, and defensive intensity-are exactly what head coach Todd Golden wants to see.
This was only the second-ever meeting between Florida and Saint Francis-the last coming back in December 1994. That night, it was Dan Cross and Andrew DeClercq leading the way. On Wednesday, it was a new generation of Gators making their mark.
If this game was any indication, Florida is finding its rhythm at just the right time.