Florida Gators dominate Wichita State with a powerful performance

In Lake Buena Vista, Florida, the 18th ranked Florida Gators showcased their basketball prowess on November 29, 2024, by claiming a decisive 88-51 victory against Wichita State in the championship game of the ESPN Events Invitational. This matchup marked a significant moment for Florida, as they maintained their unbeaten record, moving to 8-0, a feat not seen since 2009. Walter Clayton Jr emerged as a star of the game, contributing 19 points, while teammate Alex Condon nearly achieved a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. The game demonstrated Florida's strong defensive strategy, particularly evident in a dominant 27-0 run that spanned the last seven minutes of the first half and continued into the second. This offensive burst enabled Florida to expand their lead, effectively suppressing Wichita State’s scoring efforts. Wichita State, despite their prior success in the tournament, faced their first defeat and fell to 6-1 overall. Matej Bosnjak was a bright spot for the Shockers, scoring 11 points, but their top scorer, Justin Hill, struggled significantly, recording only four points on 2-12 shooting. Defensively, Florida set a tough tone early in the game with four blocks within the first seven minutes. The Shockers struggled offensively, shooting a mere 18.8 percent in the first half and finishing the game at 29.8 percent. Their three-point shooting was also a point of concern, as they could only convert 5 of 22 attempts. Looking ahead, both Florida and Wichita State are set to continue their seasons with games scheduled for the upcoming Wednesday. Florida will host Virginia while Wichita State will take on Alcorn State at home. This victory solidifies Florida’s reputation as a formidable team early in the season and sets the stage for what lies ahead in their quest for continued success in college basketball.