FINAL: Florida 71, South Carolina 63
Saturday, January 15, 2022 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
AT THE BUZZER
FLORIDA 71, SOUTH CAROLINA 63
FLORIDA 71, SOUTH CAROLINA 63
WHAT HAPPENED: The visiting Gators got points from all 10 players who checked in, including a career-high 14 from freshman wing Kowacie Reeves, and managed to hold off the host Gamecocks Saturday afternoon and get out Colonial Life Arena with their first Southeastern Conference victory of the season. UF, which shot a blistering 62 percent in the second half, took an early lead and built it to as many as 11 in the first half and 13 in the second, but USC stuck around with relentless work on the offensive glass, finishing with 21 offensive boards. Fortunately for the Gators those extra possessions only led to 13 second-chance points, as the Gamecocks were shooting just 36 percent after intermission. South Carolina got as close as four midway through the period, but a Florida run of 11-2 run gave the Gators a much-needed cushion to finish things off. Reeves, making his second start of his rookie season, finished four of six from the floor, 2-for-3 from the 3-poine line and made four of his five free throws over 23 minutes. UF grad-transfer Phlandous Fleming Jr., playing two and a half hours from his hometown of Athens, Ga., added 14 points and senior forward Colin Castleton had 10 points, seven rebounds and a career-high eight blocked shots.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Reeves had not gotten a bunch of chances this season, but unsteady play on the perimeter, especially shooting the basketball, led Coach Mike White and staff to throw him out. Reeves started Wednesday against LSU and had a quiet three points in 14 minutes. He also had two rebounds and did not turn the ball over. Here's betting he's back in the starting lineup next game, too.
STAGGERING STATISTIC: Remember when the Gators gave up 20 rebounds in the loss to Alabama to open the SEC season? The Gamecocks did one better and it was the only reason the game was competitive after halftime.
UP NEXT: Florida (10-6, 1-3) plays the front end of a two-game home stand, as well as the start of a rough and rocky stretch. Up first is Wednesday night date against Mississippi State (11-4, 2-1), which faces Alabama Saturday night. After that, the Gators will be home next Saturday against Vanderbilt, leave early the next morning to prep for Monday afternoon's makeup game at Ole Miss, then leave from Oxford that night to fly to Knoxville to play Tennessee 48 hours later. That's four games in eight days, which does not happen in regular-season play.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
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