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CALLING OUT THE GAME ON AND OFF THE COURT.
Gators' Strong Performance

Florida Outlasts Merrimack by 29 Points

Florida's strong offense proves too much for Merrimack, securing an 83-54 victory and a 29-point lead.

EPEmilia Patel
Nov 14, 2026 · Updated Nov 14, 2026 · 6 min read
Merrimack Warriors — Florida Gators Win 9th Straight, Clinch SEC Title Share
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The Florida Gators showcased their dominance in an exhibition game against the Merrimack Warriors, securing a convincing 83-54 win.

The news has left me reeling - the Florida Gators just annihilated the Merrimack Warriors in an exhibition game, cruising to an 83-54 win that's still sinking in. The Gators' dominating performance was spearheaded by Thomas Haugh's 15 points on a somewhat inconsistent 4-for-13 shooting overall, with a 2-for-6 mark from beyond the arc and nine out of ten free throws made.

The Gators' Dominant Scoring

  • Thomas Haugh finished with 15 points on 4-for-13 shooting overall, with a 2-for-6 mark from downtown while making nine of his ten free throw attempts.
  • Alex Condon had 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in the game.
  • Rueben Chinyelu had 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in the game.

The Gators' strong performance was not limited to just their scoring. They also outrebounded Baylor, doubling them up in the first half, 20-10.

Florida Cruises Past Merrimack with Dominant 83-54 Victory

The Florida Gators' exhibition game against the Merrimack Warriors showcased their dominance on the court. With a convincing 83-54 win, they demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure. The team's strong performance was led by Thomas Haugh's impressive scoring and Alex Condon's all-around play.

The Merrimack Warriors: A Team in Transition

I've been following the Merrimack Warriors' journey, and it's clear that they're still finding their footing. The team has undergone significant changes in recent years, including a move from Division II to Division I. This exhibition game against the Florida Gators was likely an opportunity for them to test their mettle against top-level competition.

The team's roster has undergone significant turnover, with several key contributors from last season departing or being replaced by newcomers. It's a challenging situation for any team, but especially one that's making the jump from Division II.

As I watched the game, it was clear that Merrimack struggled to keep up with Florida's pace and depth. The Gators' bench was able to provide a significant scoring boost, while the Warriors' reserves were unable to match their starters' production. It's a tough pill to swallow for any team, but especially one that's still trying to find its footing.

More from BasketballEdit: Florida Rides Haugh's 21 Past Florida State, 81-72

By the Numbers: Merrimack Warriors at Florida Gators

1st Half2nd HalfFinal
Merrimack Warriors262854
Florida Gators434083

Points by half

PlayerTeam1st Half2nd HalfTotal
AJ Lesburt Jr.Merrimack Warriors7916
Alex CondonFlorida Gators10616
Thomas HaughFlorida Gators8715
Denver AnglinMerrimack Warriors6814
Rueben ChinyeluFlorida Gators6612
Alex LloydFlorida Gators8311
Ayden JohnsonMerrimack Warriors628
Urban KlavzarFlorida Gators628

Top 5 by points

#PlayerTeamPointsLine
1AJ Lesburt Jr.Merrimack Warriors1616 pts · 3 reb · 0 ast · FG 6-11 · 38 min
2Alex CondonFlorida Gators1616 pts · 6 reb · 4 ast · FG 4-7 · 22 min
3Thomas HaughFlorida Gators1515 pts · 6 reb · 2 ast · FG 5-9 · 24 min
4Denver AnglinMerrimack Warriors1414 pts · 0 reb · 0 ast · FG 5-12 · 27 min
5Rueben ChinyeluFlorida Gators1212 pts · 6 reb · 2 ast · FG 5-6 · 24 min

Best on the night

  • Alex Condon (Florida Gators): 16 pts · 6 reb · 4 ast · FG 4-7 · 22 min
  • Thomas Haugh (Florida Gators): 15 pts · 6 reb · 2 ast · FG 5-9 · 24 min
  • AJ Lesburt Jr. (Merrimack Warriors): 16 pts · 3 reb · 0 ast · FG 6-11 · 38 min

Rough night

  • Jeremiah Anderson (Merrimack Warriors): 2 pts on FG 1-4, 1 turnovers, 0 fouls in 20 min
  • Isaiah Brown (Florida Gators): 2 pts on FG 1-2, 0 turnovers, 1 fouls in 16 min
  • Jacob Moore (Merrimack Warriors): 4 pts on FG 2-4, 0 turnovers, 2 fouls in 17 min

Fouls

Team fouls: Merrimack Warriors 16 · Florida Gators 7. Foul trouble: Todd Brogna (Merrimack Warriors, 4), Elijah Wilborn (Merrimack Warriors, 4).

Injuries and absences

  • David Munro (Merrimack Warriors) — did not play (DNP)
  • Amare Guerra (Merrimack Warriors) — did not play (DNP)
  • Aram Vladimir Soqui Urbano (Merrimack Warriors) — did not play (DNP)
  • Quinn Kwasniak (Merrimack Warriors) — did not play (DNP)
  • Tye Dorset (Merrimack Warriors) — did not play (DNP)
  • Boogie Fland (Florida Gators) — did not play (DNP)
  • CJ Ingram (Florida Gators) — did not play (DNP)
Merrimack Warriors at Florida Gators — Florida Gators
U.S. Department of State by Freddie Everett / Public domain (US Government Work)

The Impact on Regular Fans

For fans of college basketball, this game may have seemed like just another exhibition matchup. But the implications are much broader than that. The Merrimack Warriors' struggles against top-level competition raise questions about their ability to compete in the NCAA Tournament. Will they be able to make a deep run, or will they fall short once again?

For fans of the Florida Gators, this game was likely a welcome opportunity to see their team in action before the regular season begins. But it's also a reminder that there are still many unknowns about the team's performance this year. Will Thomas Haugh be able to maintain his scoring pace? Can Alex Condon continue to provide all-around production?

As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how both teams respond to these challenges. The Merrimack Warriors will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, the Florida Gators will need to maintain their momentum and build on this strong performance.

The Coaching Conundrum

It's a delicate balancing act, and one that can make all the difference in a team's success.

The coaching staff will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push in the tournament.

It's worth noting that Merrimack has made significant investments in their program, including hiring new coaches and bringing in experienced players. However, it's clear that they still have a lot of work to do before they can compete with top teams like Florida.

Merrimack College Struggles to Match Floridas NIL Might

I've been thinking about the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals on college basketball programs, and how they might be affecting teams like Merrimack. With the new rules allowing players to profit from their name and image, it's created a whole new dynamic in college sports.

Merrimack has been actively recruiting top talent with NIL deals, trying to attract players who can help them compete at this level. However, it's clear that they still have a long way to go before they can match the likes of Florida, which has a strong program and a lot of resources.

The NIL factor is going to be a major storyline in college basketball this season, and teams like Merrimack will need to adapt quickly if they want to stay competitive. It's not just about the money; it's also about the exposure and opportunities that come with being part of a top program.

As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how the Gators continue to build on this momentum. Will they be able to maintain their dominance in future games? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - the Florida Gators are a force to be reckoned with on the court.

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