Florida's fast start dooms Warriors on the road

(10) Florida 80, Merrimack 45

The defending national champs wasted little time asserting control, racing out to a 26-point lead early in the first half of Friday’s game against the Merrimack Warriors and never easing off the throttle, as the Florida Gators cruised to an 80–45 win in Gainesville.

The Warriors struggled to generate offense against Florida’s length and physicality, shooting just 16 percent (4-for-25) from beyond the arc. They were also out-rebounded by a decisive 53–25 margin.

Florida opened up a 25–4 advantage by the 10-minute mark of the first half. To their credit, the Warriors settled in afterward, playing the Gators to a 55–41 margin over the final 30 minutes.

Kevair Kennedy paced Merrimack with 14 points, while Tye Dorset added 10. Florida placed four players in double figures, led by junior Alex Condon, who posted 20 points in 30 minutes.

Merrimack returns to action Friday at Penn to open the Cathedral Classic. The Warriors will face Penn on Friday (4:30 p.m.), Hofstra on Saturday (2 p.m.), and La Salle on Sunday (noon).