Final in Tampa: No. 1 Florida Beats No. 14 Miami 77-67, Behind Thomas Haugh's 19 Points and 10 Rebounds
Miami's zone cut a 10-point halftime deficit to two, and got no closer. The Gators won the turnover battle 21-7 in points, hit 11 threes to Miami's four, and opened the season with a win over their in-state rival.
No. 1 Florida opened its season with a win over its rival. The Gators defeated No. 14 Miami 77-67 on a neutral court in Tampa on Monday night, in the season opener for both teams, Field Level Media reported. All-American Thomas Haugh produced 19 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block for Florida, and Boogie Fland added 12 points, four assists and a game-high four steals.
Miami started fast, scoring on its first five possessions for an 11-8 lead, before Florida answered with a 9-0 run and took a 46-36 lead into halftime - Haugh had 13 in the first half. In the second half the Hurricanes went to a zone and closed the deficit to 48-46, but they never got any closer, and Florida rolled to the finish. Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis scored a game-high 24 points to lead Miami; Somto Cyril finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, while two of Miami's biggest stars were held to single digits - Shelton Henderson with seven and Malik Reneau with five.
The numbers underneath the score were Florida's: a 21-7 advantage in points off turnovers, and a wide edge from deep - 11-for-26 on 3-pointers for the Gators against 4-for-17 for Miami. It was a heated opener, with a technical foul on each coaching staff and three flagrant fouls, all involving Cyril. Florida has now won four straight against Miami.
