Gators come alive in second half to top South Carolina
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Kenny Boynton led a balanced offensive attack 65, at Colonial Life Arena.
Will Yeguete and Bradley Beal both totaled 14 points, while Erving Walker and Erik Murphy chipped in 11 for the Gators (14-4, 2-1 SEC), who have won back to-back contests since dropping their conference opener at Tennessee on January 7.
Mike Rosario scored 10 for Florida, which made half of its 24 three-point shots. Boynton led the way by going 4-of-7 from beyond the arc for the Gators, who held a 39-24 scoring advantage in the second half.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bruce Ellington had 17 points to pace the Gamecocks (8-9, 0-3), who went 8- of-31 from the field over the final 20 minutes.
Brenton Williams drained a three-pointer in the final minute of the first half for a 41-37 South Carolina lead, but Boynton then hit a long-distance shot to close the period.
Florida scored 14 in a row early in the second half. Damontre Harris converted a three-point play for the Gamecocks to get the hosts within 45-44, but Beal then made a three to start Florida's impressive burst. Beal canned another three during the push, which ended on his two made free throws with 10:26 remaining for the dominating 59-44 lead.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The margin remained in double digits the rest of the way.
Game Notes
Florida center Patric Young, who is battling a sprained right ankle, didn't start and had four points in 13 minutes...Florida got its first road victory of the season...The Gators have won nine of the last 12 matchups with South Carolina, beginning with a win in the 2006 SEC Tournament championship game.