Gators give up last-second dunk, fall to South Carolina in SEC opener
Gamecocks’ length-of-court pass wins it as UF misses 11 of final 12 FG attempts
GAINESVILLE — The Florida Gators’ epic second-half collapse during Saturday night’s 71-69 SECopening loss to South Carolina culminated with an once-in-a-lifetime play to complete an improbable comeback.
South Carolina forward Chris Silva’s uncontested dunk following a length-ofthe-court pass delivered the final blow to the Gators (8-5, 0-1).
The play was a first for Gamecocks coach Frank Martin in more than 30 years of coaching. The 52-year-old has seen his share of buzzer-beaters, but not following a pass of around 90 feet over the opposing defense.
“Over the top, it’s the first time,” Martin said. “You have to have courage to throw that pass.”
Sophomore reserve Felipe Haase made the winning pass after Martin replaced starter Maik Kotsar after he complained of a sore shoulder. Haase’s toss was right on the money to Silva, who sealed off two Gators defenders, including 6-foot-9 senior Kevarrius Hayes, hauled in the pass and dunked it for the win.
“They executed it to perfection,” UF coach Mike White said. “It was a great play. It was a great pass, a great seal. They were prepared ... and it won them the game.”
The Gators had every chance to put away the Gamecocks (6-7, 1-0) and led by as many as 14 points.
UF, though, squandered four double-digit leads and failed to score a field goal during the closing 7:17, missing 11 of their final 12 field-goal attempts.
“Definitely hard to swallow,” first-year point guard Andrew Nembhard said. “I feel like we definitely should have won that game. We didn’t close out the game properly.”
Two free throws Nembhard gave UF a 63-53 advantage with 8:13 remaining. Following a 3-pointer by Hassani Gravett (who scored a game-high 22), Hayes made a layup. Florida would not score again for more than three minutes as South Carolina made a 9-0 run, ignited by six straight points from forward Keyshawn Bryant.
After UF freshman wing Keyontae Johnson hit the second of two free throws, South Carolina took a 67-66 lead on a layup by Silva, who scored all of his points during the second half. The Gamecocks had last led 1-0 with 18:45 remaining in the first half.
The team traded the lead three times from there. When Hayes hit the second of two free throws with 3.5 remaining, the game appeared headed to overtime, tied at 69-69.
Instead, Silva and Haase hooked up to hand the Gators a bitter defeat.
“I’m not stunned,” White said. “I’m disappointed.”