M. Basketball. No. 24 Gamecocks Win Fifth-Straight, 57-53, Over No. 19 Gators

[GF Staff]

No. 24/24 South Carolina (15-3, 5-0 SEC) powered past No. 19/21 Florida (14-4, 5-1 SEC), 57-53, down the stretch Wednesday night in a battle of unbeaten teams in SEC play at Colonial Life Arena. Senior guard Sindarius Thornwell led all scorers with 20 points, moving into the top 10 in Carolina history in career points scored in the contest.

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[FeatheredCock]

No. 24 Gamecocks Win Fifth-Straight, 57-53, Over No. 19 Gators With Videos, Gallery, Stats & More

Sindarius Thornwell scored 20 points for the sixth time this season to lead the way for South Carolina

GCF Staff Report
Jan. 19, 2017

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COLUMBIA, S.C. -- No. 24/24 South Carolina (15-3, 5-0 SEC) powered past No. 19/21 Florida (14-4, 5-1 SEC), 57-53, down the stretch Wednesday night in a battle of unbeaten teams in SEC play at Colonial Life Arena. Senior guard Sindarius Thornwell led all scorers with 20 points, moving into the top 10 in Carolina history in career points scored in the contest.  (MORE)

 

[Andrew]

Well done gamecocks!

 

[SimpliQQ]

Round of applause for the master, why our football team it's not the same

 

[Tranquilla]

Winning spree, hope it will continue

 

[Superb Owl]

Great win. I haven't seen Florida miss so many threes in decades..

 

[ShepCock]

Great win. I haven't seen Florida miss so many threes in decades..

That broke a streak of 850 consecutive games (an NCAA record) of Florida hitting a 3-point shot.

The streak dated back to 1992. 

 

[ShepCock]

South Carolina clinches win over Florida with aid of fans
By ABE DANAHER  | 01/18/2017 | The Daily Gamecock
 

 
South Carolina was able to stay undefeated in SEC play after taking down Florida 57-53 late Wednesday night.
 
Sluggish start on offense 
 
Both teams started this game off cold, as they stayed knotted at zero for the first 5:48 of the game. During that time, the two teams combined for 12 turnovers, 13 missed shots and five fouls before Florida's Casey Hill was able to jump the passing lane and convert an easy layup on the other end.
 
The team’s slow starts seemed largely due to the aggressive man-to-man defense of their opponent, and less to their own shooting woes. The Gamecocks were able to force the Gators into a rarely seen 10-second violation during the scoreless opening stretch, and both teams stopped potential opening baskets with blocks at the rim.
 
Defense makes up for lackluster offense 
 
When baskets were few and far between and no one seemed able to consistently score, the Gamecocks relied on their defense to keep them in the game. The Gamecocks came out of the half trailing by seven, but were able to hold the Gators to just two points for the first 9:12 of the half. This allowed them the time needed for their still sputtering offense to reclaim the lead, which they did with 13:35 remaining in the half.
 
“They got into a rhythm and we got into more foul trouble, and now all of a sudden they are living at the foul line,” said Florida’s coach Mike White. “We gotta be able to get off to better starts in the second half.”
 
This Gamecock defense, which pressured the Florida guards all night, forced the Gators into 13 turnovers. They also held the Gators much below their season average field goal percentage of 46 percent, limiting Florida to 35 percent which included the Gators missing all 17 of their three point attempts. This defensive effort included holding Florida’s leading scorer KeVaughn Allen, who also struggled with foul trouble most of the night, to just one point in 18 minutes. Allen came into the game averaging 13.9 points per game.
 
Electric Atmosphere
 
From long before tip off, the fans within Colonial Life Arena were loud and engaged. The student section appeared full to capacity, and most of the upper decks were full. 
 
Earlier in the week, head coach Frank Martin challenged the students at South Carolina. He told them that he needed them to be “absolutely bonkers.” 
 
After the game, he praised the student section for answering his call, saying, “They were there early, they were loud, and they never disengaged from the game.”
 
Next Up
 
South Carolina’s next game will take place Jan. 21 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, where the Gamecocks will look to avenge last year's 27 point loss to the Wildcats.

 

[ShepCock]

Some predictions after last night's win:
 
I have a program that predicts 26-5 overall, and 16-2 SEC for the Gamecocks.
 
WarrenNolan.com predicts 24-7 overall and 14-4 SEC record.
 
RealtimeRPI has it 23-8 and 13-5.  I think this is probably closer to reality since we're due for a upset loss on the road (Vandy, Miss State and Ole Miss are candidates for this)
 
I think that Kentucky can get 70 against us on Saturday and will. They will probably beat us, but we will beat the spread.
 
I've got it Kentucky 71, South Carolina 65

 

[Dell]

Let's hope a miracle will happen and we will beat Kentucky as well Shepcock