What Happened
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Sophomore forward Alex Condon returned to the starting lineup to record a career-high 27 points and 10 rebounds, while senior guard Walter Clayton Jr. added 22 points and eight assists, as the fifth-ranked Florida Gators defeated seventh-ranked Alabama in a Southeastern Conference top-10 matchup at a packed Coleman Coliseum.
Florida, winners of eight of their last nine games, shot 50 percent in the second half to transform a one-point halftime lead into a 14-point cushion with under six minutes remaining. The Gators then had to withstand one of the nation’s most potent offenses, relying on timely baskets and clutch free throws. Alabama cut the lead twice to five points and once to four with 20 seconds left, but five different Gators combined to make 12 of 15 free throws in the final 1:23, helping Florida secure the win despite going the last 3:20 without a field goal.
Condon was outstanding in his first start in three games after missing four contests with an ankle injury. The 6-foot-11, 230-pound Australian went 9-of-16 from the field, including 2-of-4 from three-point range, made seven of nine free throws, and collected five offensive rebounds out of his 10 total. Clayton made 8-of-20 shots, including two second-half threes, added five rebounds, and delivered precise lobs to Condon for dunks.
Sophomore Thomas Haugh came off the bench to score 12 points—all in the second half, including two three-pointers—while fifth-year guard Alijah Martin contributed 10 points and five rebounds.
Alabama, which returned three starters from its 2024 Final Four team, was paced by point guard Mark Sears, who scored 30 points.
The first half was competitive throughout, with Florida taking as many as a seven-point lead and Alabama as much as four. The Gators carried a 41-40 edge into halftime. Early in the second half, Alabama opened a 52-47 lead, but Clayton hit a three-pointer and senior guard Will Richard followed with a run-out dunk to spark a 13-3 Gators run, including eight straight points at the end, giving Florida a five-point lead. The Tide came within two points, but never regained the lead as Florida scored nine consecutive points to reach their first double-digit margin with under 10 minutes remaining.
Florida finished the game shooting 48.6 percent overall, though just 8-of-27 (under 30 percent) from three-point range. The Gators dominated the boards, winning the battle 50-35 overall, including 16-10 on the offensive glass for a 19-10 edge in second-chance points. Alabama, which entered the game averaging a plus-7 margin on the glass, shot 47.2 percent overall and 9-of-25 (36 percent) from three-point range.
Florida center Rueben Chinyelu (9) in action Wednesday night against Alabama.
What it Means
Florida now boasts the most impressive pair of road wins in college basketball this season: at No. 1 Auburn on Feb. 8 and at No. 7 Alabama on Wednesday, two teams widely regarded as potential No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. With the Gators now 7-4 in Quadrant 1 games according to the NCAA Evaluation Tool and having clinched the No. 2 seed (and double-bye) in next week’s SEC Tournament in Nashville, it’s time for UF to be considered among the nation’s elite. Their 26th regular-season victory ties the 2006-07 team, which won back-to-back national championships, for the second-most in program history. The win also marked Florida’s third consecutive victory over Alabama and its first road win in the series since 2019.
In the Spotlight
"Condo" was dominant, while Clayton managed the game, overcame eight first-half turnovers, and never let the hostile crowd dictate the pace.
Staggering Statistic
For the first time in school history, the Gators have defeated two top-10 teams on the road in a single season (Auburn and Alabama). Last season, Florida beat No. 10 Kentucky at Lexington, making Todd Golden the first coach in UF history to notch three victories against top-10 opponents on the road in his first three seasons.
Up Next
Florida (26-4, 13-4) returns home for its regular-season finale Saturday against Ole Miss (20-9, 9-7), with senior guards Clayton, Richard, and Martin being honored in a pregame "Senior Night" tribute. The Rebels, losers of three of their last four, host No. 4 Tennessee on Wednesday night. Alabama (23-7, 12-5) concludes its season Saturday at rival and top-ranked Auburn.
Email senior writer Chris Harry at chrish@gators.ufl.edu
