Hauck's 19, 10 double-double powers Florida to 77-67 win over Miami
The No. 1 Gators used a 9-0 run to break a tight start and held off a late rally by No. 14 Miami in the season opener for both teams.
By Jonathan Hoffmann ·
Thomas Haugh’s 19 points and 10 rebounds were the decisive factors in a 77-67 victory for No. 1 Florida over No. 14 Miami on Monday night in Tampa. The win marked the season opener for both programs and extended Florida’s winning streak against their in-state rivals. Haugh, a 6-foot-9 senior who won preseason Southeastern Conference Player of the Year honors, dominated the box score with five offensive rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block. He shot 4 of 8 from beyond the arc and did not commit a turnover.
The game remained close through the first eight minutes, with Miami keeping the score tight. Florida broke the deadlock with a 9-0 run that gave them a lead they never relinquished. Rueben Chinyelu provided essential support on the glass, pulling down 14 rebounds and adding six points. The Gators had a history of struggling at Benchmark International Arena, having lost to Iowa there in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 22. This time, they left with a win.
Miami fought back in the second half, scoring the first eight points of the period. They closed the gap to just two points at 53-51 when Somto Cyril dunked after a missed free throw. Acaden Lewis, a transfer from Villanova, led the Hurricanes with 24 points in his first game for Miami. Despite the late surge, Florida’s defense tightened, holding Miami scoreless from the field for a five-minute stretch. Urban Klavzar’s three-pointer put Florida ahead 66-55, effectively ending the contest.
The physical nature of the rivalry was evident throughout the contest. The game featured two technical fouls and three fouls that were upgraded to flagrants. Late in the first half, Isaiah Brown capitalized on a miss by Haugh with a putback dunk to extend Florida’s lead to 44-32. The Gators relied on their physicality and depth to maintain control, a testament to a roster that has retained its core players for multiple years.
Florida will look to build on this momentum when they host Jacksonville on Thursday night. Miami returns to action on Friday night to host Wagner. Both teams enter the next week with a single game under their belts, setting the stage for their first non-conference matchups of the season.
