Walter Clayton Jr., Tyrese Samuel lead Gators to big win over Pitt

Point guard Walter Clayton Jr. and forward Tyrese Samuel both finished two points shy of their career highs to lead Florida to an 86-71 win over Pitt on Friday night in the NIT Season Tip-off in Brooklyn. The Gators won their third game in a row and once again had players score in double figures.

Up 39-34 at the half, UF stretched its lead to 11 points midway through the second period and led by double digits the rest of the way. Clayton scored 10 of Florida’s first 12 points after the break and then UF went on a 9-0 run to stretch its lead to 13 points midway through the second period.

The Gators led by double digits the rest of the way.

Clayton scored a season-high 28 points, including 6-for-8 from downtown (75 percent) and 11-for-17 from the floor (64.7 percent), with five rebounds and two steals.

Samuel finished a season-high with 20 points on 9-for-11 shooting and recorded his second double-double of the season with 10 rebounds, three blocks and three steals.

It marks Florida’s first three-game winning streak since the second week of January last season.

Pitt controlled the first eight minutes of the game, building a 19-10 lead. From there, the Gators had an 8-0 run and tied the score four times before finally their first lead in the final minute of the half with another 8-0 run.

After a 3-pointer by Graham Diaz put the Panthers up 42-41 with 17:01 left, Clayton responded from downtown and the Gators (4-1) never trailed again. They will face Baylor on Friday in their second game of the NIT Season Tip-off.