The Florida Gators seized the spotlight in College Station on Saturday night, delivering a resounding 86-67 victory over the Texas A&M Aggies to claim sole possession of first place in the SEC for the first time since 2014. In a game that saw Florida dominate on both ends of the court, the Gators showcased their depth, resilience, and trademark rebounding prowess to outclass the Aggies in front of a raucous Reed Arena crowd.
Florida entered the contest with a 16-6 overall record and a 7-2 mark in SEC play, riding high after a decisive 100-77 win over #23 Alabama. The Gators, ranked No. 16 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and No. 17 in the AP Top 25, were favored by 5.5 points against a Texas A&M squad that boasted a 17-5 record and was just a game behind in the conference standings. The stakes? Nothing less than the top spot in a fiercely competitive league.
From the opening tip, Florida made their intentions clear. After an early exchange, the Gators seized an 8-2 lead at the first media timeout, sparked by a three-pointer from Xaivian Lee and a fastbreak dunk by Alex Condon. As the first half unfolded, the Aggies found themselves mired in a brutal drought, going more than nine minutes without a field goal. At one point, Texas A&M shot just 1-for-26 from the floor and 0-for-11 from beyond the arc, allowing Florida to build a commanding 13-3 advantage midway through the half.
Urban Klavzar proved instrumental in the opening stanza, connecting on a trio of three-pointers and leading all scorers with nine points at halftime. Despite Texas A&M’s edge on the glass (26-24 at the break) and a flurry of offensive rebounds, the Aggies simply could not convert their second-chance opportunities. Florida’s defense, anchored by Rueben Chinyelu and Alex Condon, stifled the Aggies’ perimeter shooters and forced them into tough, contested looks.
By halftime, the Gators held a 30-19 lead, having weathered a late push from the Aggies but never relinquishing control. The real fireworks, however, were saved for the second half. Thomas Haugh, who managed just one point in the first half, exploded for 21 points after the break, repeatedly slashing through the Aggies’ defense for acrobatic finishes and timely three-pointers. His outburst turned what was a competitive contest into a rout, as Florida outscored Texas A&M 20-5 to start the second half and quickly pushed the lead to 50-24 with under 15 minutes remaining.
Key moments abounded for the Gators. A steal by Handlogten led to a thunderous dunk from Haugh, stretching the margin to 71-48 and putting the game firmly out of reach. Isaiah Brown’s powerful dunk gave Florida a 19-point cushion with over 16 minutes left, while Chinyelu’s relentless effort on the boards ensured the Aggies never found their rhythm. By the time the final horn sounded, Florida had five players in double figures: Haugh (22), Chinyelu (10), Klavzar (11), Lee (10), and Brown (12).
Chinyelu’s performance was especially noteworthy. With 10 points and 15 rebounds, he recorded his 14th double-double of the season, further cementing his place alongside Gator greats like Joakim Noah and Al Horford as one of the program’s premier rebounders. According to the game notes, Chinyelu was just two rebounds away from joining Noah and Horford as the only Florida players this century with back-to-back 250+ rebound seasons—a testament to his consistency and dominance inside.
Florida’s dominance was not limited to the stat sheet. They outscored Texas A&M 48-24 in the paint and 21-7 on fastbreak points, using their athleticism and depth to control the tempo. The Gators’ frontcourt, led by Haugh, Chinyelu, and Condon, proved too much for the Aggies, who simply could not match Florida’s energy or physicality around the rim. Even when Texas A&M found open looks from three, the shots refused to fall, and the Gators capitalized on nearly every defensive stop.
“We knew coming in that rebounding and defense would be the difference,” Florida head coach Todd Golden said. “Our guys stuck to the game plan, shared the ball, and really imposed their will in the second half. It’s a huge win for our program.”
The Aggies, meanwhile, struggled to find answers all night. Rashaun Agee, Texas A&M’s leading scorer and rebounder, was held in check by the Gators’ frontcourt, while the usually reliable perimeter attack sputtered. Six Aggies entered the game averaging double figures and shooting at least 36% from three, but against Florida’s swarming defense, those numbers never materialized. At one point, the Aggies trailed by as many as 28 points, a stunning reversal for a team that had been among the SEC’s most efficient offenses since conference play began.
Florida’s victory was not just about the present standings—it was a statement about the team’s evolution under Golden. The Gators have now won eight of their last nine games, including four straight on the road, matching their longest SEC road winning streak since 2017. Their rebounding margin (+15.5), offensive rebounds per game (16.6), and total rebounds (46.0) all lead the nation, and their ability to generate second-chance points has become a defining trait.
“We’re playing with a lot of confidence right now,” said Haugh after the game. “When everyone’s contributing and we’re locked in defensively, we feel like we can beat anybody.”
With the win, Florida improved to 17-6 overall and 8-2 in SEC play, while Texas A&M dropped to 17-6 and 7-3. The Gators’ next challenge comes against Georgia, followed by a highly anticipated showdown with Kentucky. For now, though, Florida fans can savor a performance that not only vaulted their team to the top of the standings but also signaled that the Gators are a force to be reckoned with as March approaches.
For the Aggies, the loss stings, but the season is far from over. With a deep roster and a reputation for resilience, Texas A&M will look to regroup and stay in the hunt for an SEC title. But on this night, it was all Florida—the Gators’ blend of defense, depth, and determination proved simply too much for the Aggies to overcome.
As the SEC race heats up, the Gators have served notice: they’re not just contenders—they’re setting the pace.