GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Rueben Chinyelu tied his career high with 14 points, Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard and Sam Alexis added 12 apiece, and No. 20 Florida pounded Grambling State 86-62 on Monday in coach Todd Golden’s first game since he acknowledged an ongoing school Title IX investigation into allegations against him.
Golden said previously he is considering “defamation claims.”
Golden, 39, got a rousing ovation during pregame introductions. He shook hands with assistants and got several hugs from players as well as Grambling State coach Donte’ Jackson. Golden’s wife, Megan, and their two children sat behind the bench.
One difference: Advertisements and public service announcements involving the coach were removed from video boards inside the O’Connell Center.
The Independent Florida Alligator reported Friday that the university is investigating Golden through a Title IX complaint.
Kintavious Dozier led the Tigers (1-2) with 19 points.
Takeaways
Grambling State: The Tigers, who earned an NCAA Tournament bid last year and won a play-in game, showed promise in a two-point loss at Ole Miss last week and should be a threat in the SWAC.
Florida: The Gators are 3-0 for the first time in Golden’s three seasons. They have the depth and talent to be a factor in the Southeastern Conference and showed they can handle a distraction.
Key moment
The Gators used a 9-0 run midway through the second half to build a 55-34 lead. Clayton’s 3-pointer from the wing got the spurt going, but most of the points came from the free-throw line.
Key stat
After Golden complained about the team’s rebounding effort in a 21-point victory over Jacksonville on Thursday, the Gators controlled the boards against Grambling State. They outrebounded the Tigers by 22.
Up next
Grambling State plays at New Mexico on Nov. 21. Florida plays at rival Florida State on Friday.
