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Xaivian Lee scores 20 and No. 10 Florida’s frontcourt excels in 90-78 win over Providence

Xaivian Lee scores 20 and No. 10 Florida's frontcourt excels in 90-78 win over Providence | iNFOnews.ca
Florida guard Isaiah Brown celebrates after his team scored during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Providence in the Rady Children's Invitational tournament Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Xaivian Lee scored 17 of his game-high 20 points in the second half, Thomas Haugh and Reuben Chinyelu each had double-doubles, and No. 10 Florida beat Providence 90-78 on Friday in the third-place game at the Rady Children’s Invitational.

Haugh had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Chinyelu had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double in five games.

Florida’s frontcourt has 11 double-doubles this season. It would be 12 had Chinyelu not fallen one rebound short in an 84-80 loss to TCU in the tournament opener on Thursday.

Urban Klavzar scored 18 points and Boogie Fland added 17 for the defending national champion Gators (5-2), who smoothly rebounded from the loss to the Horned Frogs.

Ryan Mela scored 17 points to lead five players in double figures for the Friars (4-4), who were routed 104-83 by Wisconsin on Thursday. Jaylin Sellers had 14, Jason Edwards 13, Corey Floyd Jr. 12 and Stefan Vaaks 10.

Lee made 3-pointers on consecutive possessions early in the second half to push the Gators’ 45-39 halftime lead to 51-40. He continued his hot streak with a jumper and a putback sandwiched around consecutive 3-pointers by Fland to give Florida a 61-47 lead.

Providence closed within 65-57 before the Gators went on a 10-0 run highlighted by Lee’s floater, Klavzar’s 3-pointer and Haugh’s three-point play.

Chinyelu scored four points during one possession in the first half. He made the first of two free throws with 6:58 left before halftime and missed the second, with Haugh getting the rebound. Chinyelu made a hook shot, was fouled and converted the three-point play for a 30-21 lead.

Up next

Providence hosts Farleigh Dickinson on Tuesday night.

Florida visits Cameron Indoor Stadium to take on No. 4 Duke on Tuesday night.

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Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Xaivian Lee scores 20 and No. 10 Florida's frontcourt excels in 90-78 win over Providence | iNFOnews.ca
Florida center Rueben Chinyelu, right, drives against Providence forward Oswin Erhunmwunse (55) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the Rady Children’s Invitational tournament Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Xaivian Lee scores 20 and No. 10 Florida's frontcourt excels in 90-78 win over Providence | iNFOnews.ca
Florida head coach Todd Golden, left, congratulates Thomas Haugh (10) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Providence in the Rady Children’s Invitational tournament Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Xaivian Lee scores 20 and No. 10 Florida's frontcourt excels in 90-78 win over Providence | iNFOnews.ca
Florida players celebrate after a 3-point basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Providence in the Rady Children’s Invitational tournament Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

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