What's Happening?
The Florida Gators, ranked No. 23, secured a 90-60 victory against Colgate on December 21, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida. Xaivian Lee led the Gators with 19 points, while Thomas Haugh added 17 points. The Gators extended their home-winning streak against nonconference opponents to 18 games. Despite Colgate's strong performance from the three-point line, making 11 of 17 attempts, they were unable to overcome Florida's size and speed. The Gators' victory marks their third consecutive win following losses to Duke and UConn. Colgate's Sam Wright and Kyle Carlesimo each scored 14 points, with Carlesimo hitting four three-pointers.
Why It's Important?
This win is crucial for Florida as it reinforces their dominance at home and boosts their confidence ahead of conference
play. The performance of players like Xaivian Lee, who has been leading the team in scoring recently, is a positive sign for the Gators as they prepare for tougher competition. For Colgate, the game highlights the challenges of facing ranked teams, despite their ability to compete effectively from the perimeter. The match also emphasizes the importance of depth and bench contributions, as seen with Florida's strategic player rotations.
What's Next?
Florida will host Dartmouth in their next game, which will be their final nonconference matchup before entering Southeastern Conference play. The Gators will aim to maintain their winning momentum and further solidify their strategies. Colgate will face Harvard in their upcoming game, providing an opportunity to regroup and address areas of improvement before starting their Patriot League schedule.
