Final: Florida 87, Stony Brook 62
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
FLORIDA 87, STONY BROOK 62
FLORIDA 87, STONY BROOK 62
WHAT HAPPENED: Graduate wing Phlandrous Fleming Jr. scored 20 points and the big man combination of senior Colin Castleton and junior backup Jason Jitoboh combined for 27 points and 12 rebounds in the Gators' wire-to-wire job Wednesday afternoon against the Seawolves at Exactech Arena. Fleming, the transfer from Charleston Southern, was back in the starting lineup after senior guard Myreon Jones was scratched due to health and safety protocols. He buried four 3-pointers on five attempts, having entered the game at 31.3 percent from deep on the season. His previous high-point game was 19 in the win last month over Ohio State. Castleton had 15 points and seven rebounds, while Jitoboh came off the bench to score 12 points and grab seven rebounds over 14 minutes, all career highs, in a game UF led from the outset and by as many 31 in the second half. The Gators, who shot 53.3 percent for the game and moved the ball for 20 assists, scored the first 10 points out of the box and opened a 21-point lead at halftime, despite the Seawolves shooting 54.5 percent from the floor. The margin blew up because UF hit 56.3 percent of its shots, posted 12 assists and made efficient work of SBU's nine turnovers by converting them into 19 points. The Seawolves' solid shooting continued after intermission, as they finished at 51.9 percent for the game, but made just five of 19 attempts from the 3-point line after making 41 during a four-game win streak they brought into the game. UF fifth-year senior point guard Tyree Appleby had four just four points, but also a season-high seven assists and three steals before leaving the game in the second half when he was fouled shooting a 3. Reserve forward CJ Felder, the transfer from Boston College, had 10 points and five rebounds off the bench, equaling his best numbers as a Gator.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The 6-foot-11, 290-pound Jitoboh went 5-for-7 from the floor, had a pair of assists and even hit two substitute free throws after being chosen by the Stony Brook bench to go to the line for Appleby (Note: Appleby would have returned had the game been close). Over his last four games, Jitoboh has shot 11 of 18 from the floor and totaled 25 points and 12 rebounds over 38 minutes. The Gators will need him as a viable backup to Castleton once SEC play rolls around (which is next).
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Florida had 12 assists and just three turnovers in the first half. Three. The Gators increased their turnovers four-fold in the second half, finishing with 16. Some fodder for the coaches next week.
UP NEXT: The Gators (9-3) will return from their break in time for a Dec. 26 evening practice and begin preparation for the SEC opener Dec. 29 at Ole Miss (8-4), which exited its pre-league schedule with a 75-73 home loss Tuesday night against Sanford, led by former UF guard Ques Glover (21 points, 5 rebounds). UF has lost its last two trips to Oxford.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballTommy Haugh Media Availability 9-22-25
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Todd Golden Media Availability 9-22-25
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Xaivian Lee Press Conference 6-17-25
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