Florida Gators
South Carolina
Men's Hoops Overcome Slow Start in South Carolina
Wednesday, February 6, 2002 | Men's Basketball
The Gators (17-4, 6-3 SEC) took just two shots in the first four minutes of the game. Florida fell behind early, 9-1, matching the biggest SEC deficit of the season which came against Kentucky. The sluggish beginning forced Florida coach Billy Donovan to bench his starters.
"We talked about getting off to a great start, similar to the one against Mississippi State," Donovan said. "(Jamel) Bradley knocks down a three, they score again on a second shot and just the intensity was not where it needed to be."
Reserve David Lee's putback with 15:11 to go in the first half was the first field goal of the game for the Gators. It sparked a 15-5 run as the Gators went ahead 16-14 on a Bonner basket. The Gators closed out the first half with a 23-13 run to lead at the half 39-27.
In the second half, the Gators were able to withstand the loss of starting center Udonis Haslem, who picked up his fourth foul with 9:26 to play. While he was on the bench, Florida went on a 9-0 run to open up a 62-48 lead.
"Different guys stepped up," Donovan said. "Matt Bonner had a slow start, but finished strong. Brett Nelson made some big shots."
Bonner finished with five rebounds to go with his game-high 19 points. Nelson made 4-of-8 three-pointers and finished with 16 points and seven assists. Haslem had 12 points and five boards. Lee had 11 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.
Donovan said Nelson is playing unselfish basketball for the Gators right now.
"He's playing great basketball," Donovan said. "If I can continue to get his shot selection where it's been the last couple of games, it makes our team a lot better. It puts pressure on the other team."
South Carolina's (13-9, 3-6 SEC) shooting percentage was just 34 percent to the Gators 53 percent. The Gators made 76 percent of their free throws (16-of-21) and played the Gamecocks even on the boards with 32 rebounds.
Chuck Eidson and Bradley led the Gamecocks with 14 points apiece.
Florida hosts Vanderbilt Saturday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. ET.
