COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)-- South Carolina coach Lamont Paris never thought he had a last-place team and has actually enjoyed with a smile as his 18th-ranked Gamecocks have actually proved him.
The latest evidence came Saturday when Meechie Johnson had 25 points, including a consent 3-pointer with 43.4 seconds left, to sustain South Carolina's rally from 10 points down in the second half in an 82-76 victory over No. 24 Florida.
" Lots of doubts around these guys," Paris, the second-year coach, said with a smile. His team was selected by the media to complete last in the Southeastern Conference in October. Now, getting in the last week of the routine season, the Gamecocks (24-5, 12-4) have a chance to win a conference title.
" I knew what we had, I knew what our guys were about," said Paris, who went 11-21 his first season a year back. "I understood we had winning guys, who wished to win."
When they came back from 56-46 down to win for the 10th time in their past 12 video games, that was apparent in the 2nd half.
Johnson led the way with 21 of his points in the final 20 minutes. He likewise had two vital steals as Florida attempted to regain the lead. Johnson had 3 tie-breaking shots in the last five minutes, including his 3-pointer from the left elbow extended that put the Gamecocks ahead for excellent.
" I just felt excellent. I felt confident," stated Johnson, the Ohio State transfer.
The Gators (20-9, 10-6) had depended on strong defense to build their second-half lead, but could not contain Johnson, the team's leading scorer this season. His driving layup with five minutes to play offered South Carolina its very first lead because early in the video game, 65-63.
Florida connected things at 74-all with 1:12 left on Walter Clayton Jr.'s 6th 3-pointer before Johnson struck for the game-winner.
Collin Murray-Boyles, a freshman, ended up with his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Jacobi Wright had 16 points, 12 in the very first half, to keep South Carolina close enough to rally down the stretch.
Clayton had 20 points and Zyon Pullin scored 18 for the Gators.
THE BIG PICTURE
Florida: The Gators, tied for 4th in the SEC coming in, had actually won 9 of their previous 11 and searched the way to another triumph. Their late fade might have cost them a chance at a top-four seed and a little additional rest before the SEC Tournament in two weeks.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks, third in the league, have a legitimate chance at coming away with an SEC title if they can beat No. 4 Tennessee in the season's last home video game.
DEFENSIVE CHANGE
Part of South Carolina's comeback was a change in defense to a 1-3-1 zone. The switch worked with the Gamecocks requiring eight of Florida's 12 turnovers in the winning rally. "We weren't that aggressive in assaulting it and we turned it over a lot," Florida coach Todd Golden stated.
UP NEXT
Florida: Closes its home season against Alabama on Tuesday night.
South Carolina: Ends its home season versus Tennessee on Wednesday night.
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