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Xaivian Lee scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half, Thomas Haugh and Rueben Chinyelu each had a double-double, and No. 10 Florida beat Providence 90-78 Friday in the third-place game at the Rady Children’s Invitational.
Haugh had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Chinyelu had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double in five games.
Florida’s frontcourt has 11 double-doubles this season. That would be 12 if Chinyelu hadn’t missed a rebound in an 84-80 loss to TCU in the tournament opener Thursday.
Urban Klavzar scored 18 points and Boogie Fland added 17 for the defending national champion Gators (5-2), who rebounded smoothly from the loss to the Horned Frogs.
Ryan Mela scored 17 points to lead five players in double figures for the Friars (4-4), who were beaten 104-83 by Wisconsin on Thursday. Jaylin Sellers had 14, Jason Edwards 13, Corey Floyd Jr. 12 and Stefan Vaaks 10.
Lee made 3-pointers on consecutive possessions early in the second half to increase the Gators’ 45-39 halftime lead to 51-40. He continued his streak with a jumper and takedown sandwiched around consecutive three-pointers from Fland to give Florida a 61-47 lead.
Providence closed to 65-57 before the Gators went on a 10-0 run highlighted by Lee’s floater, Klavzar’s 3-pointer and Haugh’s three-point play.
Chinyelu scored four points on one possession in the first half. He made the first of two free throws with 6:58 left before halftime and missed the second, with Haugh getting the rebound. Chinyelu hit a hook shot, was fouled and converted the three-point play for a 30-21 lead.
To be continued
Providence hosts Fairleigh Dickinson on Tuesday night.
Florida travels to Cameron Indoor Stadium to take on No. 4 Duke on Tuesday night.
Associated Press reporting.
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