Clayton and Martin power No. 18 Florida past Wake Forest 75-58
Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr., right, drives to the basket as Wake Forest guard Hunter Sallis (23) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Kissimmee, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Walter Clayton Jr. scored 21 points and Alijah Martin added 16 as No. 18 Florida beat Wake Forest 75-58 in the ESPN Events Invitational on Thursday.
Florida (7-0) opened the second half with a 10-0 run to add to its 32-28 halftime lead. After scoring 6 points in the first half, Cayton scored six points in the first half and 15 in the second half.
The Gators trailed by as many as nine points in the first half before going on a 12-2 run and taking a 23-22 with 4:46 remaining in the half. Florida’s charge was led by Will Richard, who had 10 points in the half and finished with 14.
Wake Forest fell to 6-2.
Takeaways
Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons started the game strong and led by as many as nine points in the first half. Hunter Sallis and Cameron Hildreth each had 15 points to lead Wake Forest in scoring.
Florida: After a slow start, the Gators stormed back in a team effort victory. Florida had four players score in double digits.
Key moment
Off a Wake Forest turnover, Florida guard Will Richard drove the lane in transition and scored on a layup to give the Gators a 23-22 lead after trailing by as many as nine points.
Wake Forest forward Tre'Von Spillers (25) dunks as Florida forward Sam Alexis (4) and guard Walter Clayton Jr. look on during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024, in Kissimmee, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
Key stat
Florida shot 35% from the field in the first half and 44% in the second. For the game, the Gators attempted 27 free throws compared to Wake Forest’s 15 attempts.
Up next
The Gators will face Wichita State in final of the ESPN Events Invitational on Friday.
