AT THE BUZZER
FLORIDA 88, KENNESAW STATE 78
WHAT HAPPENED: Fifth-year ahead Colin Castleton was an absolute drive, pouring in a career-high 33 factors to go together with 9 rebounds, three assists and three blocked pictures, because the Gators held off the pesky Owls at hand Coach Todd Golden his second win Friday evening at Exactech Arena/O’Connell Center. Kennesaw State, out of the Atlantic Sun Conference, merely had no reply for the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Castleton, who hit 12 of his 18 field-goal makes an attempt and went 9-for-13 from the free-throw line over 34 minutes. He even led a pair quick breaks that completed with UF baskets. Sophomore guard Will Richard, the switch from Belmont, added 15 factors, sophomore wing Kowacie Reeves tallied eight factors and 5 boards, with ahead CJ Felder good for seven factors and 6 rebounds. UF had a 14-point lead within the first half, however KSU minimize it to 10 on the break and hung round the remainder of the sport, drawing inside single-digits just a few occasions. The Gators, although, responded, largely with performs from Castleton, but additionally a pair crowd-pleasing pictures from Reeves. When it was over, UF shot 54.5 p.c from the ground, because of 48 factors within the paint (largely from guess-who). The Owls shot 42.9 p.c, however 53.1 p.c within the second half, led by preseason All-Sun ahead Chris Youngblood’s 20 factors. UF fifth-year level guard Kyle Lofton was disqualified from the sport with 12:21 to go within the sport after arguing his fourth foul and getting hit with a technical. The Gators turned to fifth-year Myreon Jones (2 factors, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, no turnovers) on the level for the remainder of the sport.
WHAT IT MEANS: Kennesaw State was a a lot better crew than Stony Brook, which the Gators pounded by 35 in Monday evening’s opener. It was take a look at, and doubtless a bit irritating at occasions for the UF coaches on the defensive finish.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The huge man within the paint sporting the white No. 12 jersey. There’s a purpose he a two-time All-Southeastern Conference choice poised for an excellent greater 2022-23 season.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: The UF teaching employees will get the crew’s consideration within the movie room Saturday when the topic turns to second-half protection. KSU hit 17 of 32 pictures after intermission, equaled Florida on the glass (14-all) and scored 42 factors within the paint for the sport.
UP NEXT: Florida (2-0) is again residence Monday evening for what figures to be its most troublesome date of this younger season, with Florida Atlantic coming to city. The Owls (sure, extra Owls), who misplaced 80-67 Friday evening at Ole (*78*), are coached by Dusty May, who spent three seasons (2015-18) as Mike White’s prime assistant earlier than bolting for Boca Raton. May, whose son Jack is a UF walk-on, has a strong crew, with 5 returning starters, that figures to be within the hunt for the Conference USA crown.
