Florida Gators
South Carolina
The Gator Men Take Gamecocks 69-57
Saturday, January 27, 2001 | Men's Basketball
Matt Bonner scored six points and Nelson scored four in the 14-2 run that broke open a tight game. With the score tied at 55-55, Bonner made two consecutive baskets to make it 59-55 Gators. Nelson hit two free throws then stole the ball from South Carolina guard Aaron Lucas and made a layup to put the Gators ahead 63-55 with about three minutes remaining in the game. Meanwhile, South Carolina went cold from the field, going over seven minutes without scoring a field goal. Only two free throws put the Gamecocks on the board in the final 7:17.
The Gators won the game even though center Udonis Haslem, who battled early foul trouble, scored just four points. Brent Wright, in his second game back after foot surgery, played 21 minutes, scored 11 points and grabbed 3 rebounds.
"This team has been through alot and for me, personally, they have got tremendous resiliency," said Gator coach Billy Donovan in his postgame radio interview. "They've worked very, very hard and the fact that they're finding ways to win, with two backcourt players (junior Teddy Dupay and sophomore Justin Hamilton) down and a senior who's getting off a stress fracture (Wright), says alot about the character of these kids."
Bonner ended up with 18 points and 7 rebounds while LaDarius Halton, tied a career high with a trio of three-pointers, finished with 11 points.
After heartbreaking losses to Georgia and Vanderbilt, the Gators have rebounded with victories over Auburn and South Carolina to improve to 13-4 overall and 3-3 in the SEC. South Carolina is now 10-7 overall and 2-4 in the league. The win ended a two-game home losing streak for the Gators, who will entertain Tennessee Tuesday night at the O'Connell Center. Tip- off is set for 9:00 p.m. eastern and will be broadcast on ESPN. The Gator Radio Network broadcast begins at 8:30 p.m.
