The Florida Gators led the Stetson Hatters 4-3 after the first four minutes of play on a sleepy Sunday in Gainesville, starting out cold from the field.
Then they relegated the Hatters to a glacier and took off, dominating for most of the final 36 minutes en route to an 86-40 win in their home opener.
Keyontae Johnson had 19 points, Noah Locke splashed in 15 points on five threes, and Scottie Lewis had 10 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the Gators’ walkover win — but the story was their defense. Florida held the Hatters to just three makes on 26 field goals in the first half, and to just 10 points until 5:11 remained in the period.