NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In an exciting Southeastern Conference showdown, Florida’s senior guard, Xaivian Lee, landed a crucial 3-pointer with just 44 seconds left, helping the 19th-ranked Gators edge out the 10th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores 98-94. Junior forward Alex Condon sealed the victory with two free throws in the last moments.
Lee, who played previously at Princeton, matched his season-high with 20 points. Junior center Rueben Chinyelu also shined, achieving a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Junior wing Thomas Haugh contributed 18 points and eight rebounds, while Condon added 16 points and eight rebounds. A standout moment came from backup guard Isaiah Brown, who celebrated his 20th birthday with a career-high 14 points.
This win marked the Gators’ fourth consecutive victory and boosted their record to 8 wins in the last 9 games, pushing them to the top of the SEC standings.
The game featured 17 lead changes and 14 ties. Florida initially led by 11 points in the first half and nine in the second but found themselves down 94-92 with a minute left. Lee’s clutch 3-pointer turned the tide. Vanderbilt, who had been careful with the ball, committed a crucial turnover in the final moments, allowing the Gators to maintain the lead.
Florida shot impressively at 52.5% overall, including 37.5% from 3-point range, and were strong at the free-throw line, hitting 25 of 30 attempts. Vanderbilt shot 50.8%, with 20 of their points coming from the line as well. The Gators dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Commodores 40-26.
This kind of performance is a reminder of Florida’s strength as a team. Coach Todd Golden has now led the Gators to nine all-time road wins against top-10 teams, with four of them happening in the last three seasons.
The victory shows the Gators’ resilience and skill under pressure. As they prepare for their next games, including a matchup against LSU, fans are excited to see if the team can continue this impressive momentum.
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