Florida
Florida 105-87 Alabama (Mar 5, 2024) Game Recap – ESPN
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — — Two weeks after getting bullied by Alabama, Florida refused to let it happen again. Not at home. And not on senior night.
Will Richard scored 23 points, Walter Clayton Jr. added 22 and the Gators handled No. 16 Alabama 105-87 on Tuesday night to stay in contention for a top four seed in the upcoming Southeastern Conference Tournament.
Florida (21-9, 11-6 SEC) made 40 free throws — the program’s most since December 1998 — and won for the 10th time in 13 games. The Gators finished 14-1 at home this season, and equally important to coach Todd Golden, they moved a step closer to potentially landing a double bye in the league tourney.
“We were very physical,” Golden said. “We did what we needed to do to beat the best offensive team in America.”
Tyrese Samuel and Zyon Pullin chipped in 19 points and six rebounds apiece after being honored before their home finale. The graduate transfers helped Florida avenge an overtime loss at Alabama last month and hand the Crimson Tide (20-10, 12-5) a third loss in four games.
“I thought Tyrese was a monster,” Golden said. “And ZP was just a calming influence out there. Both those guys were just a huge, huge reason as to why we won.”
Samuel made all nine of his shots from the charity stripe, and Pullin was 8 for 8.
Florida took 21 more free throws than Alabama and made twice as many.
“It’s not a recipe for winning games when you get doubled up at the free-throw line,” Alabama coach Nate Oats said.
The biggest surprise was how easily the Gators controlled the rematch. They opened up a double-digit lead late in the first half, extended it to 20 midway through the second and never let up.
It was a huge sigh of relief for a team that hadn’t shown a knack for delivering knockout punches. Florida had lost five games after leading at the break, and several of those included double-digit advantages.
“It’s definitely not a good feeling letting a team come back on you,” Clayton said. “We just got to be mentally tough, go up 10 and get your foot on the gas and not let up.”
Added Richard: “I don’t think we let ourselves off the hook (this time). I feel like we can get lazy once when we get up on a team. For us, it’s just staying disciplined.”
Mark Sears led Alabama with 33 points, including 29 in the second half. Aaron Estrada added 17 points, and Grant Nelson chipped in 12 before fouling out late.
Alabama’s Rylan Griffen was helped off the floor and to the locker room with 4;15 remaining after colliding with Florida’s Richard. Oats, who drew a technical foul while arguing it should have been a foul, said Griffen has a calf injury that will require more tests Wednesday.
“They were very physical with us,” Oats said. “We had some offensive frustrations and some defensive letdowns.”
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Florida should have a chance to move back into the next AP college basketball poll.
WRIGHTSELL RETURNS
Alabama guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. returned after missing the last four games following a concussion. Wrightsell finished with two points in eight minutes.
SENIOR NIGHT
Pullin and Samuel were among five players recognized in pregame ceremonies that included family, friends and framed jerseys. The other three were walk-ons Jack May, Alex Klatsky and Bennett Andersen. May’s father is current Florida Atlantic head coach Dusty May.
BIG PICTURE
Alabama: The Crimson Tide lost consecutive games for the first time since dropping three in a row in early December. This was the first unranked team Alabama has lost to since Clemson upset the Tide in late November.
Florida: The Gators have been close to unbeatable at home, with the lone loss coming against Kentucky to begin 2024. They closed the season with eight consecutive wins in the O’Connell Center but will need to bottle that energy and take it on the road for the postseason.
UP NEXT
Alabama wraps up the regular season at home against Arkansas on Saturday.
Florida ends the regular season at Vanderbilt on Saturday.
——
AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll
A massive wildfire in Putnam County in northern Florida left Amtrak passengers stranded on a train for more than 24 hours.
One train heading to New York City was forced to turn around, arriving back in Miami Monday night, including one passenger who said he had been on that train for about 38 hours.
He says he and other passengers were left uncertain about what was going on.
“Angry, confused, uncertain, in the dark,” said John Reardon.
Reardon, who lives in New York City, says he boarded the train around 7 a.m. Sunday to go back home. He said around 3 p.m. Sunday, the train stopped near Jacksonville.
“Finally, after about 5 hours, they said we’re not going to New York, we’re going back to Miami,” Reardon said. “One stop at a time.”
Amtrak said for the safety of its passengers, the train couldn’t continue going north because of the fire.
“Amtrak sends a notification to the phone saying, ‘Hey, there’s an issue with the wildfire, it’s too close to the railway,’” said passenger Katrinia Wheeler.
Multiple crews are battling multiple fires in two Florida counties, leaving at least 3,000 acres burned.
“I saw that there was a lot of smoke coming from the woods, and then I saw the fire trucks and emergency services,” Wheeler said.
The train that left Miami at 7 a.m. on Sunday returned around 9 p.m. on Monday, leaving passengers frustrated.
Amtrak corporate says they made the decision out of safety for their customers and said customers would receive full refunds and vouchers.
The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.
Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 06-09-19-34-35
Evening: 08-09-12-25-31
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing
Morning: 03
Matinee: 08
Afternoon: 04
Evening: 01
Late Night: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Winning Pick 2 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 4-0, FB: 3
Evening: 0-6, FB: 6
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 2-9-1, FB: 3
Evening: 3-7-0, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 9-7-8-0, FB: 3
Evening: 3-6-7-8, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
Midday: 3-9-3-5-1, FB: 3
Evening: 1-3-1-8-7, FB: 6
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
- Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
- Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.
You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.
Florida law requires public disclosure of winners
If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:
- Full name
- City of residence
- Game won
- Date won
- Amount won
- Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.
When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
- Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
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