Florida Dominates Alabama in Statement Win, Powered by Frontcourt Firepower and Relentless Defense
What started as a tightly contested SEC showdown quickly turned into a Gainesville rout. The No.
19 Florida Gators put their foot on the gas and never looked back, dismantling No. 23 Alabama 100-77 in front of a raucous crowd at the Stephen C.
O’Connell Center on Sunday afternoon.
This one had some extra juice before tipoff. With Alabama embroiled in controversy over the eligibility of NBA G League player Charles Bediako-who was cleared to play via a temporary restraining order from a state judge with ties to the program-Florida faced more than just the Tide on the court. But if the Gators were supposed to be distracted, they sure didn’t show it.
Golden’s Gators Make a Statement
Florida head coach Todd Golden didn’t mince words earlier in the week when asked about Bediako’s status: “If he plays, we’ll beat ‘em anyway.” That wasn’t just confidence-it was a promise. And his team backed it up in emphatic fashion.
The win marked Golden’s fifth straight over Alabama’s Nate Oats, improving to 5-2 in their head-to-head matchups. And here’s the kicker: Florida has scored at least 99 points in all five of those victories. That’s not just a trend-it’s a blueprint.
The Turning Point
While the Gators had already seized control early in the second half, the moment that sealed it came with just under seven minutes to play. Junior center Rueben Chinyelu picked off a pass in the paint and ignited a fastbreak that ended with junior forward Thomas Haugh hammering home a thunderous dunk. That pushed Florida’s lead back to 20 and sent the O’Dome into a frenzy.
By then, the damage had been done. Florida opened the second half with a 12-0 run, fueled by five Alabama turnovers, and eventually led by as many as 27. The Tide made a brief push to cut the margin to 16, but Florida answered with an 11-0 burst in the closing minutes to erase any doubt.
First Half Foundation
The Gators set the tone early with suffocating defense and blistering transition play. Sophomore guard Boogie Fland turned a pair of early steals into crowd-pleasing dunks, but a couple of freshman mistakes from Isaiah Brown allowed Alabama to claw back into it.
Still, Florida responded with a 13-2 run, sparked by Haugh’s energy on both ends, to break a tie and take control. At the half, the Gators led by 10 and were dominating in every hustle category: 15-0 in fastbreak points, 12-0 in points off turnovers, and a 32-12 edge in the paint. They dished out 12 assists on 19 made baskets and didn’t commit a single turnover in the first 20 minutes.
Twin Towers Take Over
This was the frontcourt performance Gators fans had been waiting for. Junior forward/center Alex Condon tied his season high with 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting, adding seven rebounds and six assists. He was efficient, physical, and in control.
Haugh was just as impactful, pouring in 22 points on 9-of-16 from the field, including a couple of threes. He added five rebounds and played with the kind of length and activity that gave Alabama fits all game long.
Together, they overwhelmed Bediako and the Tide’s interior defense. Bediako, for all the pregame headlines, fouled out late and was largely neutralized by Florida’s bigs.
Boogie’s Best Yet
Fland didn’t just score-he orchestrated. The sophomore point guard had 15 points, eight assists, and a career-high eight steals, coming just one shy of the program’s single-game record.
His hands were everywhere, disrupting Alabama’s rhythm and creating easy offense the other way. It was the most complete game of his young career, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Chinyelu’s Consistency
Rueben Chinyelu quietly continues to be one of the most consistent forces in the SEC. He recorded his sixth double-double in the last seven games-and 13th of the season-with 13 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.
He also added two blocks, three assists, and a steal. Even on a day when his touch around the rim wasn’t perfect (4-of-12 shooting), his impact was undeniable.
By the Numbers
- Florida is now 75-79 all-time vs. Alabama, but 43-22 in Gainesville.
- The Gators have scored 99+ points in five straight wins over the Tide.
- They’re 14-1 when leading at halftime, 16-1 when ahead with five minutes left.
- They’re also 14-0 when outshooting opponents and 11-1 when shooting 45% or better.
- When four or more players hit double figures?
Florida is 15-2. When it’s five or more?
A perfect 9-0.
What It Means
This wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. Florida didn’t just outplay Alabama; they overwhelmed them in every phase of the game.
From the moment the ball tipped, the Gators played like a team with something to prove. And they proved it.
They forced 18 turnovers and turned them into 25 points. They dominated the paint 72-26-yes, 72 points in the paint-and became the first SEC team in two decades to score 70+ in the paint against a power-conference opponent. They also outscored Alabama 26-3 on the break and beat them in every major category except three-point shooting.
After a shocking home loss to Auburn, Florida has now responded with back-to-back wins by 47 and 23 points. That’s not just bouncing back-that’s recalibrating and reasserting themselves as a real threat in the SEC.
Golden’s group is clicking, the frontcourt is imposing, the defense is swarming, and the confidence is sky-high. This Florida team isn’t just winning-they’re imposing their will. And if this performance is any indication, the rest of the conference better take notice.