No. 20 Florida bounces back from stunner, handles UNF 85-55

Updated Dec. 8, 2021 9:00 p.m. ET

Associated Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Colin Castleton had a career-high 26 points and eight rebounds, Myreon Jones added 14 points and No. 20 Florida ended a two-game skid with a 85-55 victory against North Florida on Wednesday night.

Coming off a stunning home loss to previously winless Texas Southern, the Gators (7-2) dominated from the opening tip and improved to 27-0 all time against the Ospreys (2-9).

Castleton was a key contributor in the latest one. He was 9-of-17 shooting and made 8 of 11 from the free-throw line. He chipped in two assists, two steals and a blocked shot.

The Gators opened the second half with a 12-0 run that turned an 18-point lead into a laugher. Florida’s press forced turnovers early and often that led to easy baskets and free throws. Coach Mike White’s team ended the night with a season-high 21 steals.

It was a much different performance than the Gators showed two nights earlier in the O’Connell Center, where a lackluster effort led to an embarrassing loss against a 23 1/2-point underdog that could drop them from the rankings.

Florida responded with crisper passes, better shots and cleaner possessions on both ends.

Austin Appleby finished with 13 points for Florida.

Jarius Hicklen led North Florida with 16 points. Jadyn Parker added 12 points and nine rebounds.

BIG PICTURE

North Florida: The Ospreys fell to 0-31 against ranked teams in their 17-year history of playing Division I basketball. They are 0-3 this season, having previously lost to then-No. 2 UCLA and then-No. 10 Kentucky. But the payday games are critical to helping the private school in Jacksonville fund its athletic department.

Florida: White rebuilt his roster with five transfers and two freshmen and expected some growing pains. Back-to-back losses to Oklahoma and Texas Southern could prove beneficial in the long run as they Gators learn how to win and how to handle losing.

JITOBOH RETURNS

Florida big man Jason Jitoboh, who sat out Monday’s loss because of a coach’s decision, returned to the rotation and had three points, a rebound and a block before fouling out in seven minutes of action. He got two rousing ovations: one for a dunk midway through the second half and another when he grabbed a cheerleader’s megaphone and used it to knock down a ball wedged between the rim and the backboard.

UP NEXT

North Florida: Hosts Austin Peay on Saturday.

Florida: Finishes the week against Maryland on Sunday in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

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