Undermanned No. 6 Gators slip by Vanderbilt behind Will Richard, Alex Condon

GAINESVILLE — Ailing and unable to gain an upper hand on Vanderbilt, No. 6 Florida turned to a 20-year-old sophomore from Slovenia to scratch out a critical SEC win.

With point guard Walter Clayton Jr. out (ankle) and shooting guard Alijah Martin struggling with a hip injury, Urban Klavzar rose to the occasion to help the Gators break open a close game and slip by the Commodores 86-75 Tuesday night at O’Connell Center.

With UF holding a 57-54 lead, Klavzar nailed 3-pointers on consecutive possessions and assisted Martin with 7:41 remaining during a 8-0 run in a game featuring 12 lead changes and 11 ties.

“That little run was just huge for us and a big lift when we needed it most,” coach Todd Golden said. “I’m happy for him. He has exhibited great patience.”

Klavzar’s contribution was unexpected — he entered just 3 of 16 from distance — but essential for a team coming off an ugly 20-point loss at Tennessee.

“Those were huge, huge shots for us,” Golden said.

Klavzar’s second 3 ignited the O’Dome crowd and helped move the Gators to 10-1 on their home floor before they head to top-ranked Auburn on Saturday and No. 22 Mississippi State on Tuesday.

“It definitely felt special, especially after the second one, when the whole arena kind of erupted,” the 6-foot-1 combo guard said. “It was really great. I’m just happy we got the win.”

Klavzar’s clutch shots came during a red-hot stretch for the Gators, who hit 10 of 11 shots during a nine-minute span beginning with a 3 by forward Sam Alexis of Apopka and ending with a 3 by Will Richard with 2:54 to go.

Led by Richard, UF shot 64.3% in the second half, scoring 51 points, and finished with 20 assists.

Playing 39 of 40 minutes, the 6-foot-5 senior led UF with 21 points on 8 of 11 shooting, including 5 of 7 from beyond the arc as UF hit 7 of 10 after intermission.

“I knew Walt being out I was not gonna be a little more aggressive,” Richard said. “I had to step up a little more today.”

Sophomore power Alex Condon continued to fill the stat line, finishing with 17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.

“When you watch him on film it’s apparent how hard he plays,” Vanderbilt first-year coach Mark Byington said. “Everyone in the country would like to have a player like that. He affects the game in so many ways.”

Making his first career start, point guard Orlando’s Denzel Aberdeen finished with 13 points, 3 assists and no turnovers as Clayton watched from the bench in street clothes.

Clayton and a crowd of 9,745 had plenty of nervous moments until Klavzar, Richard and the Gators pulled away.

The Gators and Commodores traded the lead seven times and were tied nine times during the first half, but UF failed to score during the final 2:47 to trail 36-35 at halftime.

“I’m as proud of this win as I am of any of the others this season due to circumstances,” Golden said.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at moc.lenitnesodnalro@nospmohtge