In their last two losses to Auburn and LSU, the Florida Gators fought gamely in the second half, slicing youth pastor leads — you know, ones that open up to the teens — down to a single point, but never got the crucial score to tie or take the lead.
On Saturday at South Carolina, the Gators figured out how to do the same thing — and how hard it is — by dominating almost all of the first half and then spending the rest of their 71-63 win fending off the Gamecocks.
Colin Castleton’s 10 points, seven rebounds, and eight blocks set the tone for the Gators, as he always does, but freshman Kowacie Reeves wore the cape for Florida on this day.