Florida basketball score, takeaways: Alijah Martin dominates as No. 21 Gators beat SIU, improve to 6-0

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Image Credit: UAA

It was not much of a game Friday night in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center as the No. 21 Florida Gators took the Southern Illinois Salukis to the woodshed for a dominant 93-68 victory. Florida moved to 6-0 on the season with a pair of no-doubter wins this week as it prepares to play more consistent and talented competition in the coming weeks.

The Gators are off to their best start yet under head coach Todd Golden and their first undefeated opening through six contests since 2021-22. Florida has won each of those games by 10+ points marking just the third time in program history that it has accomplished such a feat. UF won the national championship in 2006-07 and advanced to the Elite Eight in 2012-13.

Let’s take a look at what went down on Friday night.

It was over when … the Gators concluded a 32-6 run that spanned 9:45 to lead by 27 points in the first half. Florida drained 8 of 20 attempts from downtown in the period with 12 assists on 17 baskets. SIU did score the final six points of the half to at least make its deficit manageable, but UF patiently increased its advantage to 30 points with 9:53 to play and cruised the rest of the way.

Exceptional efforts: Redshirt senior guard Alijah Martin was a heat-seeking missile on Friday night hitting 8 of 13 triples for a game-high 32 points, the second-highest total in his career and most yet in orange & blue. Martin added a team-high 9 rebounds and game-high 5 assists for good measure. Sophomore forward Thomas Haugh was the only other double-digit scorer hitting 3 of 5 attempts from long range for 19 points with 7 boards and 3 dimes. Senior guards Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard combined for just 12 points hitting 2 of 11 attempts from beyond the arc.

Odds & ends: Florida beat SIU in the first meeting between the programs … the Gators outscored the Salukis 20-9 on the fast break and 35-15 off the bench … Florida had 25 assists on 35 baskets (71.4%) — their most dimes in a game since Dec. 22, 2023 … UF’s 6 turnovers matched its fewest in a game dating back to last season … the Gators are now 36-9 under Golden when leading at halftime, 43-5 when leading with 5 minutes left, 41-6 when shooting the same or better than an opponent from the field, 32-6 when shooting 45% or better from the field, 34-9 when shooting the same or better as an opponent from 3-point range and 14-4 when shooting 40% or better from 3-point range

What it means: Not much. Unlike Florida A&M, which entered Tuesday’s game 0-3, Southern Illinois had seen moderate success this season and even lost to Oklahoma State by just seven points last week. So while Florida’s performance was notable for its dominance, in the grand scheme, it is not indicative of how the team will play as it concludes its nonconference stretch against more difficult competition. UF’ Gators”s proficiency from beyond the arc and consistency making the extra pass in both halves was impressive given the team has largely executed to that end in singular halves of games this season.

What’s next? The Gators will return to playing power-conference competition next week when they takes part in the 2024 ESPN Events Invitational. Florida will open against Wake Forest on Thaksgiving — Thursday at 230 p.m. ET in a game that will air live nationally on ESPN. It will then play Minnesota or Wichita State on Friday.

And the ladies? The Gators turned in another pitiful performance falling 98-74 to Florida State. Though Florida did shoot 47% from the field and 50% from long range, it took 19 fewer shots than FSU after committing 18 turnovers with four players acquiring four fouls. UF tied the first quarter but dropped the remaining three getting crushed on the boards (47-37) and on second-chance scoring opportunities (31-10). Freshman sensation Liv McGill was again the best player scoring a game-high 28 points on 11 of 17 shooting with 5 assists and 3 rebounds, but she committed 7 of those turnovers. Senior center Ra Shaya Kyle posted 21 points and 11 boards for a double-double but only hit 5 of 10 free throws.

After starting the season 3-0, Florida has lost to rivals Miami and FSU — its first power-conference opponents of the season — by an average of 17 points.