The Florida Gators improved to 12-5 (3-1 SEC) on the season after a dominant 96-79 win over Oklahoma in Norman on Tuesday night.
Forward Thomas Haugh led the Gators with 21 points, marking his seventh 20-point game of the season and ninth of his career. Center Rueben Chinyelu matched his career high with 19 points to go along with 12 rebounds, notching his ninth double – double of the season and 13th as a Gator. Guard Boogie Fland added 15 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals with just one turnover. Fland has recorded 5+ assists in five straight games.
The Gators also got double figures from Urban Klavžar (13) and Alex Condon (10).
Gator Country provides you with postgame quotes from Head Coach Todd Golden, guard Boogie Fland, and Center Rueben Chinyelu.
Head Coach Todd Golden
Opening Statement
“Proud of our guys. I thought we played really well the first 25 minutes of the game, and an extension of our effort on Saturday against Tennessee. I thought we defended incredibly well in the first half, did a great job being on Oklahoma’s tendencies, taking away the 3-point line, not allowing second chances after the first four minutes of the game. And offensively, we just played with great purpose, didn’t turn the ball over, got the ball inside, did a really good job of imposing our will in there. And then got off to a great start in the second half up 29 and then, credit to 15 (Kirill Elantontsev), just made a lot of shots and kind of stretched us out. I thought they shot the ball well in the second half. I wasn’t super pleased with our effort defensively and in the way we finished the game, but overall, very happy with this win. Go on the road and beat a good Oklahoma team by 17, it’s hard to do. And, as I’ve talked about our team over this past week, I really feel like we’re making a jump and we’re getting better at the right time.”
On the level of Rueben Chinyelu’s play right now:
“He’s just playing fantastically well. He’s always impacted winning in a huge way, but you didn’t always see it in the box score, and now you’re starting to see it in the box score, as well. His offensive production and efficiency has been through the roof. Seventeen (points) and 16 (rebounds) against Tennessee and then 19 (points) and 12 (rebounds) today, and he’s just done a great job of playing with poise in the paint, being strong off two feet, going through defenders, making his free throws, doing a little bit of everything. His play has given us a big lift.”
On whether he felt going in that the paint was an area they could exploit:
“Regardless of this specific game, that’s an area that we strive to win every night. But this game, specifically, yes, absolutely. We knew that, we feel like we had a little more depth on the front line, and that’s where a lot of our better players are and that we would have to come in here and they would have to produce for us to have a good game.”
On Boogie Fland having another solid floor game:
“Yeah, I would say so for sure, 15 (points), seven (assists), and five (rebounds), playing with a lot of confidence out there. Made a big 3 in the first half, and other than that didn’t shoot the 3 great, but I thought he’d play a really good floor game inside the three. Seven assists, one turnover, two steals, just a lot of winning plays out there. And he’s definitely playing freer, playing with more confidence, and taking advantage of what the defense gives him. When him and X (Xaivian Lee) are playing well, we’re going to be good.”
Junior C Rueben Chinyelu
On his recent play:
“My confidence has always been high. What it is, I’m just taking advantage of opportunities.”
On whether he is in a different rhythm now:
“Just being able to embrace the moment, enjoy the moment. Enjoy playing, go with game plan, know their tendencies, play defense aggressively and offense will come.”
Sophomore G Boogie Fland
On his second really good game in a row:
“Just the confidence. What I’m doing on the floor, I’m just being me. I’m very comfortable right now.”
On Rueben Chinyelu:
“He’s playing so well. Just look at the production, look at the level he’s playing.”