Florida Basketball No. 7 Gators Beat Texas 84-71 with Dominant Second Half Run

Florida shows championship composure in Austin as second-half surge seals a big conference win

The Florida Gators men’s basketball team delivered a strong statement performance on February 25, 2026, defeating Texas 84–71 at the Moody Center. In a tightly contested game for most of the night, the No. 7-ranked Gators used a dominant late run and red-hot shooting to pull away and reinforce their position as one of the top contenders in the SEC and nationally.

Florida vs Texas: Game Summary

Team	1st Half	2nd Half	Final
Texas	39	32	71
Florida	36	48	84

Florida improved to 22–6 overall with the victory, while Texas dropped to 17–11.

Second-Half Surge Turns the Game

Texas actually held a 39–36 halftime lead, shooting efficiently and matching Florida’s physical play. However, the game changed dramatically in the final minutes.

With 7:27 remaining, Texas led 64–61 after a layup by Jordan Pope. From that point forward:

• Texas did not make another field goal
• Florida closed the game with a decisive scoring run
• The Gators shot 65.4% in the second half
• Overall shooting reached 59.3% for the game

This late execution showed the experience and composure of a team built for postseason success.

Key Players Who Made the Difference

Florida’s balanced attack and frontcourt strength played a major role in the win.

Standout Performers – Florida

• Alex Condon – Efficient inside scoring, strong presence early (11 points on perfect first-half shooting)
• Boogie Fland – Hit a crucial three-pointer to extend the lead into double digits
• Frontcourt Unit – Controlled rebounds and protected the rim with multiple blocks

Florida’s size and physicality became the deciding factor as the game progressed.

Turning Point of the Night

The decisive moment came midway through the second half:

• Texas led 64–61
• Florida responded with a 7–0 run in just over a minute
• Momentum shifted completely
• The Gators never looked back

This stretch highlighted Florida’s ability to respond under pressure — a key trait of championship teams.

Team Performance Comparison

Category	Texas	Florida
Field Goal %	50% (1st half)	59.3% overall
Second Half FG%	Cold finish	65.4%
Rebounding Edge	Competitive early	Florida controlled late
Paint Presence	Limited late	Dominant interior play

Florida’s efficiency and interior strength wore Texas down in the closing minutes.

Season Impact and SEC Picture

• Florida now stands at 22–6 overall
• The win keeps the Gators near the top of the SEC standings
• As defending national champions, they continue to look like a serious March contender
• Texas, meanwhile, faces pressure as the loss pushes them closer to the NCAA tournament bubble

Upcoming Schedule

Date	Opponent
March 1	Arkansas
March 4	Mississippi State

Florida will look to maintain momentum as the regular season enters its final stretch.

This win showed Florida’s strength on the road, strong second-half performance, efficient scoring, solid defense, and calmness under pressure. If they continue this form, the Gators will be one of the most dangerous teams heading into the postseason.