Florida holds off Miami rally after 9-0 run in 77-67 win

No. 1 Florida opened the 2026-27 season with a 77-67 win over No. 14 Miami in Tampa, taking control with a first-half 9-0 run and holding off a second-half comeback attempt. Thomas Haugh led the Gators with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Rueben Chinyelu added 14 rebounds and Boogie Fland scored 12. Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis paced Miami with 24 points, but the Hurricanes struggled from long range, making just 4 of 17 three-pointers compared with Florida’s 11 of 26. Miami cut the deficit to two in the second half, but Florida answered with a run and strong defense to preserve the win. The physical rivalry game featured two technical fouls and three flagrant fouls.