No. 1 Florida basketball dismantled Jacksonville 88-57 on Thursday night, securing its 36th consecutive home opener victory in a dominant display of offensive firepower. Rueben Chinyelu anchored the attack with a career-high 21 points, while Alex Condon came within one stat of a triple-double, finishing with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. The Gators (2-0) showcased their depth, with five players scoring in double figures, as they overwhelmed the Dolphins (1-1) at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
Gators extend home winning streak to 36 with dominant 88-57 rout
The game’s momentum shifted decisively in the second half when Florida erupted for a 19-2 run, turning a tight five-point contest into a blowout. Thomas Haugh and Denzel Aberdeen provided crucial three-point shooting during the surge, while Condon and Chinyelu capitalized on interior advantages with powerful dunks. The Gators controlled the paint throughout, outrebounding Jacksonville by a staggering 27-rebound margin, with Chinyelu grabbing eight boards and Haugh adding seven to secure possession advantage.
Condon’s performance nearly etched his name into Florida history, as he entered the break with seven points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, flirting with the rare triple-double. He fell just short of joining an elite group of Gators, including Corey Brewer, Nick Calathes, and Chris Chiozza, who have recorded triple-doubles in the program’s last 30 seasons. Despite the near-miss, Condon’s all-around play, combined with Chinyelu’s scoring explosion, underscored Florida’s status as the conference’s premier defensive and offensive force heading into the rest of the season.
Source: Yahoo Sports
