Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

No. 14 Florida romps to another big win, beating Georgia 86-66

No. 14 Florida romps to another big win, beating Georgia 86-66 | iNFOnews.ca
Florida guard Xaivian Lee (1) reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

ATHENS. Ga. (AP) — Xaivian Lee scored 18 points and No. 14 Florida finally found its touch from 3-point range, leading from the opening tip for an 86-66 victory over Georgia on Wednesday night.

The Gators (18-6, 9-2 Southeastern Conference) are hitting their stride with March just a few weeks away. The reigning national champions have won nine of 10 games — all but one of those victories by double-digit margins — and are all alone atop the league standings.

Georgia (17-7, 5-6) clearly missed top scorer Jeremiah Wilkinson, who sat out because of a shoulder injury. The Bulldogs simply didn’t have enough firepower without their sophomore guard, who is averaging 17.1 points.

Blue Cain led Georgia with 17 points.

The Gators dominated from the opening tip. Florida scored the first 10 points, while Georgia missed its first eight shots. Alex Condon set the tone at the defensive end, blocking what looking to be a sure dunk by Cain flying in off the wing.

The Gators led by as many as 20 in the opening period while knocking down six of their first 12 attempts beyond the 3-point stripe. They finished 10 of 26 from long range — not dazzling, but certainly an improvement on their last-in-the-SEC 28.8% coming into the game.

Florida was up 43-27 at halftime and went on to complete a season sweep, having knocked off the Bulldogs 92-77 in Gainesville on Jan. 6.

When Boogie Fland swished a desperation 3 as the shot clock was expiring, pushing Florida to its biggest lead at 60-38 with just under 12 minutes remaining, many red-clad fans at Stegeman Coliseum headed for the exits.

Fland had 15 points and three other Gators were in double figures. Rueben Chinyelu was a beast on the boards with 20 rebounds. Florida even got a chance to send on 7-foot-9 Olivier Rioux in the final minute.

Georgia did show some fight, slicing the margin to 10, but Lee made a 3 that finished off any thoughts of an improbable comeback. The Bulldogs came in averaging an SEC-leading 91.9 points, but were held to a season low.

Up next

Florida: Returns home Saturday for the first of two game against No. 25 Kentucky.

Georgia: Travels to Oklahoma on Saturday.

___

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

No. 14 Florida romps to another big win, beating Georgia 86-66 | iNFOnews.ca
Florida forward Thomas Haugh (10) shoots against Georgia center Somto Cyril, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
No. 14 Florida romps to another big win, beating Georgia 86-66 | iNFOnews.ca
Florida forward Alex Condon (21) shoots against Georgia center Somto Cyril, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
No. 14 Florida romps to another big win, beating Georgia 86-66 | iNFOnews.ca
Georgia guard Blue Cain (0) shoots against Florida forward Alex Condon, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
No. 14 Florida romps to another big win, beating Georgia 86-66 | iNFOnews.ca
Florida guard Xaivian Lee (1) shoots against Georgia guard Marcus Millender (4) and forward Dylan James, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

Paul Newberry

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles