If you're asking what's the score for the Florida Gators, you probably just missed one of the most chaotic, jersey-swapping, cardiac-arrest-inducing games in recent SEC history.
Florida just took down No. 10 Vanderbilt 98-94 in Nashville. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. The Gators walked into a hostile Memorial Gymnasium today, January 17, 2026, and walked out sitting on top of the SEC standings. Honestly, looking at the box score doesn't even tell half the story of how weird this one got.
The score for the Florida Gators: A breakdown of the 98-94 thriller
Before the tip-off, things were already a mess. Somehow, the Gators' primary road jerseys didn't make the trip to Nashville. You had star players like Xaivian Lee running around in a nameless No. 99 jersey and Boogie Fland wearing walk-on threads. It looked like a pickup game at the YMCA, but the play was anything but amateur.
The lead changed 17 times. Seriously.
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Vanderbilt was undefeated at home and ranked in the top ten for a reason. They don't lose in that weird gym where the benches are on the baselines. But Todd Golden’s squad didn't blink. They shot 52.5% from the field and, more importantly, they finally found their stroke from deep, hitting 37.5% of their threes.
Who stepped up in the clutch?
- Xaivian Lee: The Princeton transfer was the hero. He drained a cold-blooded, step-back three with 44 seconds left to put Florida up 95-94. He finished with 20 points.
- Rueben Chinyelu: A beast in the paint. He put up a career-high 20 points and grabbed 10 boards. He went 5-for-5 in the second half. Basically, Vandy had no answer for him.
- Alex Condon: Despite some early struggles, he sank two massive free throws with six seconds left to ice the game.
It’s worth noting that the Gators absolutely dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Commodores 40-26. That 22-8 edge in second-chance points was the literal difference between winning and losing.
Beyond the court: Other Gator scores you missed
While the men’s basketball team is grabbing the headlines, they weren't the only ones in action this weekend. The "Everything School" mantra is alive and well in Gainesville right now.
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Last night, the No. 1 Florida gymnastics team barely escaped with a win against No. 4 Alabama. The final was 197.425 to 197.275. It came down to the very last rotation on the beam. Selena Harris-Miranda was the MVP there, sticking a 9.950 to seal the deal.
The women's tennis team also opened their spring season today with a dominant 6-1 road win over Charleston Southern. Senior Xinyi Nong actually handed out a "double bagel" (6-0, 6-0) in her singles match. It's been a very good 24 hours to be a Gator.
What this means for the SEC standings
Winning in Nashville is hard. Winning there when you're wearing the wrong jerseys and facing a top-10 team is almost unheard of. This 98-94 victory moves Florida to 13-5 overall and 4-1 in the SEC.
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They are now tied for first place in the conference.
For a team that struggled with consistency in November, they’ve now won four straight and eight of their last nine. The metrics love them, the AP Poll is going to move them up from No. 19, and the "toughness" questions have mostly been answered.
Upcoming schedule for Florida
If you want to keep tracking the score for the Florida Gators, here is what is on deck:
- January 20: Home vs. LSU (7:00 PM ET)
- January 24: Home vs. Auburn (4:00 PM ET)
- January 28: Away at South Carolina (9:00 PM ET)
The momentum is real. The next two games are at the O'Dome, and expect that place to be absolutely rocking.
If you're looking to catch the next game, check the SEC Network or the ESPN app, as the LSU matchup on Tuesday is a home stand where Florida usually protects the court well. Keep an eye on the injury report for any lingering issues with the rotation after today’s physical battle in Nashville.