South Carolina knocked off the Gators in that one thanks to 42 points in the paint. Coach Frank Martin’s team won this one from the 3-point line.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Wesley Myers scored a season-high 22 points, Chris Silvaadded a double-double and South Carolina upset No. 20 Florida 77-72 on Wednesday night.
Silva finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Gamecocks, who won the Elite Eight rematch from last year’s NCAA Tournament.
The Gamecocks (13-7, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) hit 11 of 21 shots from beyond the arc, matching their most 3s all season. Myers was 5 of 7 from 3-point range, taking advantage of the league’s worst team at defending the 3.
The Gators (14-6, 6-2) led by 11 in the first half and were up 48-39 early in the second. But they had no answer for Myers outside and Silva down low.
Frank Booker sealed the victory by hitting four free throws in the final 40 seconds.
Florida won eight of its previous nine games to return to the rankings for the first time in more than a month.
Egor Koulechov and Jalen Hudson led Florida with 16 points apiece. KeVaughn Allen added 15 for the Gators, who shot 6 of 23 from 3-point range.
Florida had a great chance to tie the game with two minutes to play, but teammates turned the ball over while fighting for a rebound. Silva sank a jumper a few seconds later to make it 73-68.