Haugh, Klavzar and the foul line lift Gators past FSU, 81-72

By Brenden Martin

Nov. 10, 2026

TALLAHASSEE — Florida found its finishing touch at the free-throw line, pairing Thomas Haugh's double-double with a late burst from Urban Klavzar to beat Florida State 81-72 Tuesday night at the Donald L. Tucker Center.

Haugh finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Klavzar scored all 10 of his points in the final 6:15. The Gators improved to 3-0; the Seminoles fell to 2-1.

Boogie Fland added 14 points, five rebounds and four assists. Alex Condon contributed nine points and 10 rebounds, giving Florida two players in double figures on the glass and helping establish a 41-29 rebounding advantage.

The Gators needed that extra work. Florida State made six more field goals, finishing 27 of 62 while Florida went 21 of 51. But the Gators made nine of 28 attempts from beyond the arc to the Seminoles' four of 21, producing a 27-12 advantage in 3-point scoring.

The bigger difference came at the line. Florida made 30 of 41 free throws, compared with Florida State's 14 of 18. That 16-point scoring edge helped overcome the Gators' uneven shooting and 14 turnovers.

It also marked a substantial recovery. Florida had made just three of eight free throws before halftime, then converted 27 of 33 in the second half. The Gators' final 17 points came on free throws after Fland's layup with 4:28 remaining.

Klavzar supplied a timely change of pace. His 3-pointer with 6:15 left pushed Florida ahead 57-50. He followed with five free throws over the Gators' next two scoring trips and finished seven of seven at the line, despite making only one of seven shots from the field.

Sebastian Rancik led Florida State with 23 points, and Anthony Robinson II scored 19. Robinson's second 3-pointer in the final 72 seconds trimmed the deficit to 76-70 with 50 seconds left. The Seminoles' last two possessions ended in turnovers.

Haugh's 3-pointer with 13 seconds remaining in the first half had given Florida a 31-29 halftime lead. The Gators outscored Florida State 50-43 after the break.

Florida next hosts Merrimack on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

Tonight at 9 p.m. ET, join Florida Gator Lowdown with Loren Meadows, featuring Mike McGinnis and WCJB TV20 sports director Jake Rongholt. The conversation includes the rivalry-game reaction, officiating, Oklahoma fallout and Kentucky next. Watch tonight's show.

Editor's note: This is GatorBait's initial postgame report. Verified postgame comments will be added as they become available.

Score and statistics: ESPN final box score and Florida's official game center. Next game: FloridaGators.com.

FILE PHOTO: A Florida guard drives past a Jacksonville defender on Nov. 5, 2026. Photo by Chris Spears, GatorBait Media.