Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | General, Men's Basketball, Gymnastics, Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
What Happened
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 18th-ranked Florida Gators controlled the game from start to finish against Saint Francis on Wednesday night at Exactech/Arena O'Connell Center.
Senior guard Xaivian Lee topped the scoring chart for the fourth time in five outings, posting 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting while leading six Gators into double figures. Junior forward Alex Condon contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while junior center Rueben Chinyelu recorded his fifth double-double of the year with 12 points on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field and 11 rebounds.
Eleven of the 12 UF scholarship players who saw action added points, joined by 7-foot-9 walk-on center Olivier Rioux, the tallest player in college basketball history. He thrilled the O’Dome crowd with a dunk off a pass from freshman CJ Ingram with 42 seconds remaining.
- UF surged to a 12-2 lead within the opening five minutes, fueled by six different scorers. The margin grew to 19-6 (with the Gators shooting 80%) after seven minutes, then 30-9 (at 75%) after 10 minutes. Florida carried a 24-point cushion, 47-23, into halftime and extended it further in the second half.
UF center Rueben Chinyelu (9) with a first-half flush.
Turning Point
The decisive moment came the very day the game was placed on the schedule.
Staggering Statistic
UF had six players reach double figures in scoring — the first time that’s happened since the 87-71 victory over Maryland in the "Sweet 16" of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on March 27 at San Francisco.
Up Next
Florida (7-4) returns to action Sunday afternoon for the second of three straight home contests, as the Gators face Colgate (6-5), a top-175 opponent per KenPom, representing the Patriot League.
Email senior writer Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu. Find his story archives here.
