Auburn coach Steven Pearl told his team ahead of their trip to Gainesville, Florida, that in order to knock off the No. 16 Florida Gators they would have to match their physicality level down low.
The Tigers not only outperformed the Gators down low but left the building with its first win at Florida in 30 years, following Auburn’s 76-67 victory Saturday afternoon.
“They did a great job of responding, and we hit back,” Auburn coach Steven Pearl said postgame. “Three weeks ago, our team would’ve folded and let all that pressure get to us. Our team did a great job of hanging in there and staying together.”
GAINESVILLE, FL – JANUARY 24 – Auburn’s Sebastian Williams-Adams (33) during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the #16 Florida Gators at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.
Photo by Zach Bland/Auburn TigersZach Bland/Auburn Tigers
Though Florida grabbed more rebounds overall (39-32), Auburn dominated where it counted most outscoring the Gators 38-28 in the paint.
KeShawn Murphy finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, as he outperformed both of Florida’s starting bigs in Alex Condon and Reuben Chinyelu. Condon finished with just one point and did not hit a single shot from the floor.
Keyshawn Hall added seven rebounds to impressive night, leading Auburn with 24 points scored against the Gators.
When asked what fueled Auburn’s turnaround, Murphy credited the Tigers’ defense.
“In my opinion, it’s been the effort on defense. Like our coaches say, nothing we do works without effort,” Murphy said. “Lately, we’ve been putting more effort into everything we do — showing up at practice, coming out and getting the small details. We’re putting more effort into everything we do, and it’s starting to show on the court.”
Florida coach Todd Golden addressed his team’s defeat as Florida dropped to 14-6 and 5-2 in SEC play.
“I felt like we prepared well and we were ready. We just couldn’t get back on track after the first half. Credit to them with what Auburn was able to do in the paint and on the glass,” Golden said postgame.
Auburn (13-7, 4-3) will host Texas in its next matchup “on Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. CT.