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Live Blog: Florida Gators 98, Vanderbilt Commodores 94

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi01/17/26ZachAbolverdi

Xaivian Lee and Rueben Chinyelu had 20 points apiece on Saturday to lead No. 19 Florida to a 98-94 win at 10th-ranked Vanderbilt. Five Gators scored in double figures, along with Thomas Haugh (18 points), Alex Condon (16) and Isaiah Brown (14).

In a back-and-forth game that had 17 lead changes and 14 ties, UF trailed 94-92 with 1:15 remaining and outscored the Commodores 6-0 in the final minute. The run started on a go-ahead 3-pointer by Lee — his third of the day — with 45 seconds left.

Lee wore No. 99 and was one of three UF players without their regular jersey number, along with Boogie Fland (No. 33) and Micah Handlogten (No. 34). Lee shot 8-for-13 from the floor (3-for-7 from 3) and had his third 20-point game of the season.

Chinyelu scored a career-high 20 points and logged his 10th double-double this year with 10 rebounds. The Gators won the rebounding battle 40-26, including 13-6 on the offensive glass, and outscored Vanderbilt 22-8 in second-chance points.

The victory marked UF’s first road win over a ranked opponent this season and snapped the Commodores’ nine-game winning streak at home. Saturday was also Florida’s first time beating a top-10 Vandy team in Nashville since 1968.

Here are live updates from Florida vs. Vanderbilt:

Florida vs. Vanderbilt Live Blog

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 88, Vanderbilt 86 (4:01 2H)

The Gators have made four of their last five shots and are dominating with second-chance points, outscoring Vandy 22-6. UF is winning inside and connecting from beyond the arc (8-for-22).

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 76, Vanderbilt 75 (7:24 2H)

Another monster game from Rueben Chinyelu with a team-high 18 points (14 in the second half) and nine rebounds. He has more offensive boards (5) than Vandy does (4).

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 62, Vanderbilt 60 (11:55 2H)

Vandy had a 9-0 run to tie the game, but it was snapped with a rebound and fastbreak layup by Xaivian Lee. He’s up to 10 points and now four Gators are in double figures.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 55, Vanderbilt 51 (15:54 2H)

The Gators are on an 11-2 run, led by eight points from Rueben Chinyelu, who’s now in double figures with 12 points. The Commodores haven’t scored in 2:16.

HALF: Vanderbilt 45, Florida 44

Jalen Washington grabs Vandy’s first offensive rebound on the last possession and scores at the buzzer to put the ’Dores ahead.

Alex Condon has a team-high 12 points and Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner scored 13. Both teams shot 16-for-33 (48%) in the first half.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 34, Vanderbilt 31 (3:54 1H)

The Dores trimmed the deficit with a 7-0 run as UF has missed six of its last seven shots (three have been beyond the arc). Both teams are now tied with 12 paint points.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 32, Vanderbilt 22 (7:57 1H)

The Gators took a double-digit lead with a 17-2 run. Alex Condon is now in double figures and Xaivian Lee has eight points after back-to-back 3-pointers.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 23, Vanderbilt 17 (11:02 1H)

The Gators are on a 10-0 run and Vandy hasn’t scored in 2:19 with four straight misses. UF has a 13-5 edge on the glass and a 10-4 edge in the paint so far.

SCORE UPDATE: Florida 8, Vanderbilt 8 (15:48 1H)

Alex Condon has six points early and two rebounds, including a putback score. The Gators are already establishing their presence in the paint.

Florida Gators starters

No.PlayerPositionHeight/WeightClassMin.Pts.Rebs.Misc.
33Boogie FlandGuard6-3, 185 poundsSo.29.711.82.53.5 ast
99Xaivian LeeGuard6-4, 180 poundsSr.27.611.24.23.4 ast
10Thomas HaughForward6-9, 215 poundsJr.33.917.46.62.2 ast
21Alex CondonForward6-11, 230 poundsJr.30.614.38.33.7 ast
9Rueben ChinyeluCenter6-10, 260 poundsJr.24.011.410.7.629 fg%

Vanderbilt Commodores starters

No.PlayerPositionHeight/WeightClassMin.Pts.Rebs.Misc.
3Tyler TannerGuard6-0, 175 poundsSo.30.117.23.65.2 ast
2Duke MilesGuard6-2, 188 poundsGr.29.317.52.84.4 ast
5Tyler NickelForward6-7, 222 poundsJr.29.614.73.53.5 3fg
10AK OkerekeForward6-7, 245 poundsGr.25.18.23.61.8 ast
99Devin McGlocktonForward6-8, 230 poundsSr.24.210.47.4.589 fg%

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