| Gators slide past USC for 20th win
By KEVIN BROCKWAY
Sun sports writer
With South Carolina forward Evaldas Baniulis bombing 3-pointer after 3-pointer, Florida's postseason hopes hung perilously in the balance Wednesday night at the O'Connell Center.
That's when Florida coach Billy Donovan went against the book to prevent a devastating second-half collapse.
Florida fouled South Carolina guard Devan Downey with 2.2 seconds left to protect a three-point lead. Downey missed the front end of two free throws, and junior Dan Werner grabbed the rebound to preserve an 85-82 win and keep Florida's fading NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
"Relief," Werner said, when asked how he felt after the rebound. "We've had a couple of tough games so to come back home and get the win, that was big for us."
Florida (20-7, 7-5 SEC) snapped a two-game losing streak to reach 20 wins for the 10th consecutive season.
"I don't want to say I'm surprised that we got to 20 wins, but I think our kids have done a remarkable job," Donovan said. "We still haven't gotten to the level that I want them to play at yet, but they've shown a willingness to work and try to get better."
Florida picked the right time to break out of its recent shooting slump. The Gators shot 58.2 percent from the floor and went 11-for-23 from 3-point range. But South Carolina, behind Baniulis, shot its way back from a 17-point second-half deficit by going 12-of-23 from 3-point range.
Donovan said shooting was emphasized in practice after a 1-for-15 afternoon from 3-point range Saturday against Vanderbilt.
"I kind of had noticed in the Vanderbilt game a looseness with our guys, leaning and not getting set," Donovan said. "So it was basically going back to being fundamentally sound, hands, feet, being set."
Nick Calathes led five Florida players in double-figures with 17 points and seven assists. Werner added 15 points and went 3-for-5 from 3-point range, including a big 3-pointer that put Florida up 78-72 with 2:15 left.
But Baniulis, a sophomore from Lithuania, made two 3-pointers in the final 28.6 seconds to cut the Florida lead to 82-80. After Calathes made one of two free throws, Devan Downey drove for a layup with 7.5 seconds left, cutting Florida's 17-point second half lead to 83-82.
Jai Lucas then made two free throws and Werner fouled Downey with 2.2 left.
"We wanted to at first apply pressure on the in-bounds, hope to get a five-second violation or get a steal in the backcourt," Werner said.
Baniulis and Downey each led the Gamecocks (12-13, 4-7 SEC) with 18 points, with freshman Mike Holmes adding 16 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
Florida made 11 of its first 15 shots to jump to a 26-15 lead. But the Gamecocks responded with a 10-0 run. Holmes came off the bench to hit consecutive shots. Baniulis and Day followed with consecutive 3-pointers to cut the Florida lead to 26-25.
Holmes later hit a jumper to tie the score at 29, but Florida closed the half with a 19-7 run. Adam Allen provided a huge spark off the bench, making all three of his 3-point field goal attempts. The third put Florida back ahead 42-31.
"I just felt confident after making my first one," Allen said. "I've been shooting the ball better in practice."
"I thought Adam provided a big lift for us off the bench tonight," Donovan said.
After a Downey jumper, Marreese Speights scored two baskets on a hook in transition and a dunk off a steal from Calathes to give Florida a 46-33 lead. Day hit a 3-pointer to cut the Florida lead to 46-36, but Lucas answered with a driving layup with 3.6 seconds left to put Florida up 48-36 at halftime.
The Gators shot 66.7 percent from the floor in the first half and made seven of their 11 first-half attempts. But South Carolina hung around by making six of its nine attempted 3s.
The Gators extended its lead to 63-46 with 14:34 in the second half before South Carolina began its charge, scoring 36 points the rest of the way.
Free throws
Florida recognized South Carolina coach Dave Odom on its public-address system before the game. Odom is retiring at the end of the season.
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