No. 13 Florida dominated No. 22 Texas A&M’s tough defense from the beginning, riding a game-opening 18-2 run to an 84-64 victory in the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise, Fla.

The Gators (8-2), who came in with the country’s third-best scoring offense, blitzed the Aggies fourth-ranked defense. During the game opening 18-2 run, Erik Murphy scored seven of Florida’s first nine points, Kenny Boynton nailed a 3-pointer and Patric Young’s hit a jumper.

The Aggies (8-2) did not score from the field until a Khris Middleton jumper with 12:01 left in the half. The Aggies closed to 28-14 with seven minutes left in the half, but the Gators ended the half with a 22-11 run to take a 50-25 halftime lead.

Florida shot 55.2 percent from the field in the first half (16-for-29), including 7-for-17 shooting from 3-point range, and forced 10 turnovers. The Aggies had not allowed more than 69 points all season.

Boynton hit four 3-pointers in the first half, finishing 6-for-12 from beyond the arc and scoring a team-high 22 points. Bradley Beal added 16 points, Erving Walker scored 16 and Murphy finished with 13.

David Loubeau led Texas A&M with 20 points. Middleton scored 14 points with seven assists, six rebounds and four steals.

The Gators host Mississippi Valley State on Monday. Texas A&M hosts Rice on Thursday.