GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Will Richard scored 17 points, hitting five 3-pointers, Tyrese Samuel added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Florida defeated Grambling 96-57 on Friday for the Gators’ fifth straight win.
Zyon Pullin, making his third start this season with Riley Kugel sitting out with a foot bruise, added 14 points and six assists for Florida (9-3). Pullin had a team-high 22 points in a 106-104 double-overtime win over Michigan in the Jumpman Invitational on Tuesday.
Thomas Haugh added 13 points and Denzel Aberdeen 11 for the Gators, who shot 62%, including 11 of 21 from the arc. They were plus-13 on the boards and outscored the Tigers 50-32 in the paint.
Antwan Burnett scored 14 points, Jourdan Smith 11 and Jalen Johnson 10 for the Tigers (2-10).
Florida never trailed and broke a tie with 11 straight points early in the game. Grambling got back within four with nine consecutive points capped by Terrence Lewis’ 3-pointer midway through the half but 3-pointers by Richard and Walter Clayton Jr. bookended a 12-0 run and the Gators led by double figures thereafter, going ahead 44-27 by halftime.
Florida is host to Quinnipiac on Dec. 30. Grambling is host to College of Biblical Studies on Jan. 2.
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