GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Will Richard scored a game-high 21 points to lead No. 24 Florida past Vanderbilt, 77-64, on Saturday afternoon at Exactech Arena.
Richard was one of three Gators in double figures as Walter Clayton, Jr. and Tyrese Samuel added 19 and 15, respectively.
Three Commodores finished in double figures, led by Ven-Allen Lubin with 15. Lubin’s dougble-digit day was his seventh in the past eight games. Ezra Manjon and Evan Taylor added 10 apiece while Jordan Williams scored a season-best seven points.
Florida (19-8, 9-5 SEC) used a 14-3 run over five minutes in the first half to build a 17-point lead. The Commodores shot just 26 percent in the opening 20 minutes, trailing 35-20 at the break. Vanderbilt (7-20, 2-12 SEC) closed within 10 in the second half behind an 8-0 run but the Gators answered with a 7-0 run of their own to seal the win.
Florida shot 47 percent for the game while holding the Dores to just 36 percent from the floor. Vanderbilt held a 38-37 advantage on the glass.
Vanderbilt returns to action on Tuesday night at Arkansas. The contest is set for an 8 p.m. tip on SEC Network.
