The Florida Gators 63-50 win over Wake Forest today was so brutal that it drew blood, after star Gator guard Michael Frazier II left the game in the first half with a head wound that left a puddle of blood on the floor.

The Gators overpowered a mediocre Wake Forest team and were able to accelerate their offense right when they needed it – at the end of the game. And Frazier, with a big, crazy bandage on his head to cover 14 stitches, was in there making plays at the end. He got the wound by colliding with a Wake Forest player.

In previous games, they’d let the lead slip, like with Miami, Georgetown and again in disastrous fashion against Kansas. But not tonight. In what looked like would could be another tight game with 5 minutes left to go was left being little worry for the Gators with only two minutes to go.The Gators finished with a 11-1 run with 4:30 left to go.

Throughout the game, the Gators missed shots and made mistakes. But the defense was stout, getting 24 steals from the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest had a rebounding edge but were held to 37 percent shooting by the Gators.

The Gators committed 17 turnovers on their own and in the first half, they passed around the exterior often, and looked hesitant to shoot. Frazier’s presence was missed. In the second half, they challenged Wake Forest’s interior more, and struggled mostly, but accelerated their game in the final 5 minutes. The faster pace also helped the Gators get to the free throw line 23 times, making 15.

Dorian Finney-Smith led the Gators in scoring with 16 points and Frazier added 12 points, though he was only 1 of 7 from three point range.

Forward Alex Murphy made his first start as a Gator. The transfer from Duke immediately added offense to the team by adding 9 points, including 7 first half points against Wake Forest when Frazier was being treated in the locker room.X

Chris Chiozza made a big three point shot late to keep the Gators in the lead, answering a three pointer from Wake Forest that cut the Florida lead to only one point.

With the win, the Gators bring their record to 7-4. They play at Florida State on Dec. 30 and at home against UConn on Jan. 3