Nov. 07, 2024 22:02 PM EST

Alex Condon Scores A Career-High 23 Points As No. 21 Florida Tops Jacksonville 81-60

By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer
Jacksonville forward Donovan Rivers (33) blocks the shot of Florida forward Alex Condon (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood) Alan Youngblood, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jacksonville forward Donovan Rivers (33) blocks the shot of Florida forward Alex Condon (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood)
Jacksonville guard Robert McCray V (13) drives on Florida forward Sam Alexis (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood)
Jacksonville forward Zimi Nwokeji (16) and guard Zach Bell (5) battle Florida guard Alijah Martin (15) for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood)
Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) battles Jacksonville forward Enrico Borio, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood)
Florida forward Sam Alexis (4) and forward Thomas Haugh (10) go for the rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Youngblood)
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Alex Condon scored a career-high 23 points, Alijah Martin added 15 and No. 21 Florida beat Jacksonville 81-60 in its home opener Thursday night.

Will Richard chipped in 11 points, five rebounds and three steals for the Gators (2-0), who hit 21 of their first 30 shots and built a 20-point lead early in the second half. Florida cooled off down the stretch but were still too much for the Dolphins (1-1) on both ends of the floor.

With the victory, Florida extended its winning streak in home openers to 34. The program's last loss in a home opener was against Texas in 1990.

Robert McCray, who averaged a team-leading 18.4 points a game last season, set the pace for Jacksonville with 20 points.

Takeaways

Jacksonville: Coach Jordan Mincy returned to Gainesville for the first time since leaving former Gators coach Mike White's staff in 2021.

Florida: The Gators have a few legitimate scoring options after Condon's 23-point performance on Thursday and Walter Clayton Jr. 29 points in the team's season opener against USF.

Key moment

The Gators used a 15-4 run midway through the first half to begin their rout. Martin scored eight points in the run, including hitting two 3s.

Key stat

Clayton finished with seven assists and one turnover, a solid ratio for a shooting guard making the transition to the point.

Up next

Jacksonville plays at Furman on Monday, the same day Florida hosts Gambling State.

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