Florida Routs Jacksonville 88-57 in Home Opener
Rueben Chinyelu's career-high 21 points led Florida past Jacksonville in Gainesville on November 5.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball
Florida defeated Jacksonville 88-57 at home, extending its home-opener winning streak to 36 consecutive games. Five Gators scored in double figures, and Florida outrebounded Jacksonville by 27.
Why it matters
The win extends Florida's long run of home-opener success and gives the Gators an early statement performance. The margin and balanced scoring offer an early look at the team's depth.
Rueben Chinyelu scored a career-high 21 points, and Alex Condon posted 12 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Florida hit 11 three-pointers and closed the first half on a 19-2 run.
The players
Florida Gators
The men's basketball program of the University of Florida, competing in the Southeastern Conference.
Rueben Chinyelu
A Florida center who scored a career-high 21 points in the win over Jacksonville.
Alex Condon
A Florida forward who contributed 12 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in the victory.
The details
Florida closed the first half on a 19-2 run, with Thomas Haugh and Denzel Aberdeen hitting 3-pointers and Condon and Chinyelu scoring on dunks. Thomas Haugh finished with 14 points, while Hayden Wood led Jacksonville with 11. James Morrow was called for two flagrant fouls during the game.
Timeline
Nov. 5: Florida defeats Jacksonville 88-57 in Gainesville.
Monday night: Jacksonville hosts Kansas City.
Tuesday night: Florida plays at Florida State.
Season Trajectory
Florida's 36-game home-opener streak extends a run that stands out in the program's recent history. The win gives the Gators an early statement in a season that continues with a road game at Florida State on Tuesday night.
Florida's next game at Florida State on Tuesday night will test a team that just recorded a 27-rebound margin. Fantasy managers tracking Condon's rebounding and assists can use his eight-assist, 12-rebound line as a reference point.
The takeaway
Florida's depth showed in five double-digit scorers and a 27-rebound edge. That balance is the detail to watch as the Gators head into a road test at Florida State.
What happens next
Florida plays at Florida State on Tuesday night, and Jacksonville hosts Kansas City on Monday night.
Further reading
For more coverage of college hoops in the area, see Basketball.
