Haugh leads top-ranked Florida past Miami in season opener

Florida opened its season with a 77-67 victory over Miami in a physical matchup between the in-state teams at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa on November 2. Thomas Haugh led the top-ranked Gators with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Rueben Chinyelu collected 14 rebounds and scored six points.

Haugh, a senior forward and the Southeastern Conference’s preseason player of the year, made four of eight three-point attempts. He also had five offensive rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block, without a turnover. Florida held a 44-32 advantage late in the first half after Isaiah Brown dunked on a rebound of Haugh’s miss.

Miami opened the second half with eight straight points and pulled within 53-51 when Somto Cyril dunked after a missed free throw. Florida responded by keeping the Hurricanes from making a field goal for about five minutes. An Urban Klavzar three helped extend the Gators’ lead to 66-55.

Lewis, a transfer from Villanova, led Miami with 24 points in his first game for the team. Cyril added 13 points and seven rebounds. Florida outrebounded Miami 44-37 and made 11 three-pointers; the Hurricanes made four. The game featured two technical fouls and three fouls upgraded to flagrant.

Florida next hosts Jacksonville on Thursday, while Miami’s first home game is against Wagner on Friday.