No. 1 Gators Dominate No. 4 Maryland to Advance to Elite Eight

Florida’s March Madness run advanced to the Elite Eight on Thursday night with a commanding 87-71 win over Maryland in their Sweet 16 matchup at the Chase Center.

The victory secured the Gators' spot in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2017 and extended their winning streak to nine games, propelling them to the top of the West Region bracket.

The game was a tale of two halves for Florida.

The Gators struggled in the first half, committing 13 turnovers that allowed Maryland to stay within striking distance.

Despite those turnovers, Florida led by a narrow 40-38 margin at the break.

The Gators made adjustments during halftime, and their dominance on the boards in the second half became a deciding factor.

Florida out-rebounded the Terrapins 42-20, with key contributions from Thomas Haugh, who grabbed nine rebounds, and Rueben Chinyelu, who pulled down eight.

Guard Alijah Martin also contributed with seven rebounds, showcasing Florida's depth and rebounding prowess.

The Gators' rebounding and improved ball security allowed them to pull away in the second half.

After a 3-pointer from Maryland's Derik Queen trimmed Florida's lead to 61-54 with just over 11 minutes remaining, the Gators responded with a dominant 13-2 run that effectively sealed the victory.

This offensive burst showcased the depth of Florida's roster, with six players scoring in double figures.

Will Richard led the team with 15 points, followed by Martin with 14, and both Haugh and Walter Clayton Jr. contributed 13 points apiece.

Denzel Aberdeen added 12, and Chinyelu rounded out the scoring with 10 points.

Florida's offensive efficiency was evident as they shot 50% from the field, hitting 30 of 60 attempts, including 11 of 28 from beyond the arc.

In contrast, Maryland struggled offensively, shooting just 41% from the field and only 6 of 19 from 3-point range.

Queen was the lone standout for the Terrapins, finishing with a game-high 27 points, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with Florida's all-around performance.

The victory marked Florida's 10th-ever appearance in the Elite Eight and improved their record to 10-2 in Sweet 16 games.

The Gators' success in this tournament continues as they look ahead to their next matchup, where they will face the winner of the Arkansas-Texas Tech game in the West Region final.