No. 3 Florida continued its impressive season with a commanding 88-67 victory over South Carolina on Saturday night, powered by career-high performances from Denzel Aberdeen and Thomas Haugh. Despite missing two key frontcourt players, the Gators (22-3, 9-3 SEC) showcased their depth and firepower, solidifying their status as a potential No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Aberdeen led all scorers with 22 points, hitting 8 of his 12 shots, including 4 of 7 from three-point range. Haugh added 20 points on 6 of 10 shooting, connecting on 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. Together, the dynamic duo combined for 14 of 22 shooting and drained 8 of 13 three-point attempts, proving too much for the struggling Gamecocks (10-15, 0-12 SEC).
After a competitive first half that saw Florida take a four-point lead into the locker room, the Gators exploded out of the gate in the second half with a 12-1 run. The burst created a comfortable cushion that South Carolina could never overcome. Florida’s perimeter shooting was lethal, finishing the game with 14 three-pointers, including three from Alijah Martin, who returned to action after missing two games with a hip pointer. Martin finished with 11 points.
Saturday night also marked the return of Florida center Micah Handlogten, who played in his first game since suffering a gruesome leg injury in the SEC title game 11 months ago. Handlogten, who gave up a potential redshirt season due to injuries to starters Alex Condon (right ankle) and Sam Alexis (left ankle), contributed two points, three rebounds, and five assists. His presence provided an emotional boost for the Gators, who are navigating a challenging February schedule.
South Carolina’s search for its first conference win of the season continues. Jacobi Wright led the Gamecocks with 13 points, but the team struggled to keep pace with Florida’s offensive firepower. The Gamecocks were unable to capitalize on Florida’s thin frontcourt, and their defense faltered against the Gators perimeter shooting.
One of the game’s pivotal moments occurred late in the first half when Martin hit a three-pointer that bounced high off the back of the rim before dropping through the net, energizing the crowd and setting the tone for Florida’s dominant second half.
South Carolina will travel to Baton Rouge to face LSU on Tuesday, while Florida will host Oklahoma the same night. With the Gators hitting their stride and eyeing a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, their matchup against Oklahoma will be another key test in their quest for postseason success.
Even without two key frontcourt players, the Gators demonstrated their depth and offensive versatility. They continue to solidify their case for a No. 1 seed in March Madness. The Gamecocks remain winless in conference play and are struggling to find consistency on both ends of the floor.
Florida’s balanced attack and resilience in the face of adversity highlight why they are one of the nation’s top teams. As they push through a challenging February schedule, the Gators are proving they have the tools to make a deep postseason run.
