In their first game in the newly renovated Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, the Gators were feeling it.
Behind forward Devin Robinson's career-high 21 points and guard KeVaughn Allen's 19, Florida (9-3) used a 59.6% shooting performance to cruise past Arkansas-Little Rock (9-4) 94-71 on Wednesday night in its first game at home in more than nine-and-a-half months.
Instant Analysis now takes a closer look at Florida’s victory.
IT WAS OVER WHEN: Florida kicked off the game on a 9-0 run and eventually built a 31-11 lead through the first 10 minutes of action. Allen helped the Gators get off to a good start, scoring 13 of their first 20 points. The Gators dominated the Trojans from start to finish and eventually saw their lead balloon to the 30-point range.
THEY STOLE THE SHOW: Robinson led the way for the Gators with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting (4-of-5 from three) to go along with seven boards, while Allen added 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting (5-of-7 from three). Point guard Kasey Hill finished with a double-double of 11 points and 11 assists, while Hayes went a perfect 5-of-5 for the field for 12 points and eight boards.
THESE STATS DON'T LIE: Entering the game shooting just 32% from behind the arc, the Gators caught fire from downtown with a 51.6% clip (16-of-31) on threes - as Allen hit five of those and Robinson added four. The Gators also out-gained the Trojans in the assists column 20-11 (20 assists on 34 baskets) as Hill was successful moving the ball on offense.
WHAT A PLAY: Starting in place of John Egbunu (hamstring), Hayes got the Gators off to an energetic start within 14 seconds of the game with a wide-open two-handed slam for the historic first basket in Exactech Arena. The Gators built off of that impressive dunk to begin the game on a 9-0 run.
Later on the second half, Robinson had the crowd roaring with a two-handed putback slam off of a missed three by Justin Leon. The athletic dunk lifted UF to an 84-56 advantage with seven minutes remaining.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Boy, that new LED lighting sure makes a difference. Jokes aside, this was a big day for Florida athletics - and the Gators followed through with a stellar performance in their newly renovated home and lit it up from the field. After 11 games away from Gainesville to start the regular season as the renovations were still ongoing, the Gators sure were pumped to finally return to the O'Dome - and that enthusiasm was on display from the opening tipoff.
NEXT UP: Florida will have about a week off before it kicks off SEC play with a road matchup at Arkansas (10-1) next Thursday at 9 p.m. ET that will air on the SEC Network.
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