Florida 76-USC 62 Game Summary
- South Carolina hung with the 12th-ranked Gators for a half. The Gamecocks scored the first three points of the game on a basket and a free throw by Meechie Johnson, then were promptly outscored 10-0.
- The Gators built a 14-point lead at 31-17 with 6:12 left in the half. The Gamecocks cut the deficit to six late in the half, but the Gators scored the last four points for a 39-29 halftime lead.
- The Gators had 15 second-chance points off eight offensive rebounds in the first half and also scored 22 points in the paint.
- Reuben Chinyelu had a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds in the first half. Johnson carried the Gamecock offense with 12 points.
- Elijah Strong hit a jumper to open the second half to pull the Gamecocks to within eight, but the Gators went on a 14-6 run to open a 16-point lead at 53-37 with 13:19 left.
- The Gamecocks were not able to cut significantly into the lead as 14 points were as close as they could get the rest of the way.
- The Gators had 10 more offensive rebounds in the second half, good for 12 second-chance points, and they scored 22 more points in the paint.
- Florida finished with 18 offensive rebounds, 27 second-chance points, and 44 points in the paint with 34 points on layups.
- In their two wins over USC this season, the Gators totaled 98 points in the paint and 40 second chance points.
- USC shot 38% for the game, including 4-19 from three. Florida finished at 47%.
- Johnson led the Gamecocks with 22 points, while Alex Condon had 20 points and 10 rebounds for a second double-double of the night for the Gators. Chinyelu finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds.
- The Gamecocks, who haven’t won since January 20th, are 11-15 overall and 2-11 in the SEC. They will host Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon.
- The Gators have won six straight and are 20-6 and 11-2. They will play at Ole Miss on Saturday.