Johnson's 3-pointer lifts No. 18 South Carolina to 82-76 comeback victory over No. 24 Florida
AP
Mar 02, 2024
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolina Gamecocks coach Lamont Paris never believed he had a last-place team and has watched with a grin as his 18th-ranked Gamecocks have proved him right.
The latest evidence came Saturday when Meechie Johnson had 25 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 43.4 seconds left, to fuel South Carolina's rally from 10 points down in the second half in an 82-76 victory over No. 24 Florida Gators.
“Lots of doubts around these guys,” Paris, the second-year coach, said with a grin. His team was picked by the media to finish last in the Southeastern Conference in October. Now, entering the final week of the regular 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 ago. “I knew we had winning guys, who wanted to win.”
That was evident in the second half when they came back from 56-46 down to win for the 10th time in their past 12 games.
Johnson led the way with 21 of his points in the final 20 minutes. He also had two critical steals as Florida tried to regain the lead. Johnson had three tie-breaking shots in the final five minutes, including his 3-pointer from the left elbow extended that put the Gamecocks ahead for good.
“I just felt good. I felt confident,” said Johnson, the Ohio State transfer.
The Gators (20-9, 10-6) had relied on strong defense to build their second-half lead, but could not contain Johnson, the team's top scorer this season. His driving layup with five minutes to play gave South Carolina its first lead since early in the game, 65-63.
Florida tied things at 74-all with 1:12 left on Walter Clayton Jr.'s sixth 3-pointer before Johnson struck for the game-winner.
Collin Murray-Boyles, a freshman, finished with his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Jacobi Wright had 16 points, 12 in the 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 fourth in the SEC coming in, had won nine of their past 11 and looked on the way to another victory. Their late fade may have cost them a shot at a top-four seed and a little extra rest before the SEC Tournament in two weeks.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks, third in the league, have a legit shot at coming away with an SEC title if they can beat No. 4 Tennessee in the season's last home 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 forcing eight of Florida's 12 turnovers in the winning rally. “We weren't that aggressive in attacking it and we turned it over a lot,” Florida coach Todd Golden said.
UP NEXT
Florida: Closes its home season against Alabama on Tuesday night.
South Carolina: Ends its home season against Tennessee on Wednesday night.
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1st Half
FLA
Gators
37
SCAR
Gamecocks
31
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Micah Handlogten vs. Collin Murray-Boyles (Zyon Pullin gains possession)
19:42
Micah Handlogten misses two point layup
19:42
Micah Handlogten offensive rebound
19:42
Walter Clayton Jr. misses two point layup
19:40
Ta'Lon Cooper defensive rebound
19:20
Micah Handlogten personal foul (Collin Murray-Boyles draws the foul)
19:13
+2
Ta'Lon Cooper makes two point jump shot (B.J. Mack assists)
0-2
18:49
Tyrese Samuel turnover (lost ball) (Ta'Lon Cooper steals)
18:37
+2
Collin Murray-Boyles makes two point layup (Meechie Johnson assists)
0-4
18:26
Micah Handlogten turnover (bad pass)
18:04
Zachary Davis misses three point jump shot
18:02
Walter Clayton Jr. defensive rebound
17:56
Walter Clayton Jr. turnover (lost ball) (Ta'Lon Cooper steals)
17:36
Ta'Lon Cooper turnover (lost ball) (Will Richard steals)
17:19
+2
Zyon Pullin makes two point jump shot
2-4
17:01
B.J. Mack offensive foul
17:01
B.J. Mack turnover (offensive foul)
16:47
Tyrese Samuel misses two point layup
16:45
Collin Murray-Boyles defensive rebound
16:37
Meechie Johnson misses three point jump shot
16:35
Gators defensive rebound
16:19
Official timeout
16:12
+2
Zyon Pullin makes two point jump shot
4-4
15:37
Josh Gray misses two point layup
15:35
Collin Murray-Boyles offensive rebound
15:32
Ta'Lon Cooper misses three point jump shot
15:30
Zyon Pullin defensive rebound
15:23
Zyon Pullin misses two point jump shot
15:21
Zyon Pullin offensive rebound
15:17
Walter Clayton Jr. turnover (bad pass)
15:17
TV timeout
14:58
+3
Jacobi Wright makes three point jump shot (Josh Gray assists)
4-7
14:41
Alex Condon misses three point jump shot
14:39
Josh Gray defensive rebound
14:32
+3
Jacobi Wright makes three point jump shot (Ta'Lon Cooper assists)
4-10
14:01
Alex Condon misses two point jump shot
13:59
Stephen Clark defensive rebound
13:39
+2
Zachary Davis makes two point jump shot
4-12
13:21
Josh Gray blocks Alex Condon's two point jump shot
13:19
Zachary Davis defensive rebound
13:11
Jacobi Wright misses three point jump shot
13:09
Micah Handlogten defensive rebound
12:58
+2
Zyon Pullin makes two point jump shot
6-12
12:58
Stephen Clark shooting foul (Zyon Pullin draws the foul)
12:58
Zyon Pullin misses regular free throw 1 of 1
12:58
Morris Ugusuk defensive rebound
12:42
+2
Jacobi Wright makes two point jump shot
6-14
12:42
Walter Clayton Jr. shooting foul (Jacobi Wright draws the foul)
12:42
Jacobi Wright misses regular free throw 1 of 1
12:42
Riley Kugel defensive rebound
12:17
+2
Thomas Haugh makes two point dunk (Tyrese Samuel assists)
8-14
11:55
B.J. Mack misses three point jump shot
11:53
Thomas Haugh defensive rebound
11:38
Riley Kugel misses three point jump shot
11:36
Riley Kugel offensive rebound
11:32
+2
Riley Kugel makes two point layup
10-14
11:02
Jacobi Wright misses two point jump shot
11:00
Gamecocks turnover (shot clock violation)
11:00
TV timeout
10:48
+2
Tyrese Samuel makes two point dunk (Zyon Pullin assists)
12-14
10:13
Meechie Johnson misses three point jump shot
10:11
Tyrese Samuel defensive rebound
9:51
+3
Riley Kugel makes three point jump shot (Thomas Haugh assists)
15-14
9:19
Tyrese Samuel blocks Ta'Lon Cooper's two point layup
9:17
Will Richard defensive rebound
9:04
+2
Thomas Haugh makes two point jump shot (Riley Kugel assists)
17-14
8:52
Meechie Johnson misses two point layup
8:50
Thomas Haugh defensive rebound
8:41
Collin Murray-Boyles blocks Tyrese Samuel's two point layup
8:39
Thomas Haugh offensive rebound
8:37
+2
Tyrese Samuel makes two point layup (Thomas Haugh assists)
19-14
8:37
Collin Murray-Boyles shooting foul (Tyrese Samuel draws the foul)
8:37
+1
Tyrese Samuel makes regular free throw 1 of 1
20-14
8:24
Collin Murray-Boyles misses two point layup
8:22
Tyrese Samuel defensive rebound
8:07
Josh Gray personal foul
7:52
Riley Kugel misses three point jump shot
7:50
Gamecocks defensive rebound
7:50
TV timeout
7:23
Will Richard shooting foul (Jacobi Wright draws the foul)
7:23
+1
Jacobi Wright makes regular free throw 1 of 2
20-15
7:23
Jacobi Wright misses regular free throw 2 of 2
7:23
Jacobi Wright offensive rebound
7:19
Zachary Davis misses three point jump shot
7:17
Zyon Pullin defensive rebound
6:58
+3
Thomas Haugh makes three point jump shot (Tyrese Samuel assists)
23-15
6:36
Thomas Haugh shooting foul (Zachary Davis draws the foul)
6:36
+1
Zachary Davis makes regular free throw 1 of 2
23-16
6:36
+1
Zachary Davis makes regular free throw 2 of 2
23-17
6:21
Zachary Davis personal foul
6:07
Zyon Pullin misses two point jump shot
6:05
Will Richard offensive rebound
6:01
Collin Murray-Boyles blocks Will Richard's two point layup
5:59
Collin Murray-Boyles defensive rebound
5:57
Zyon Pullin shooting foul (Zachary Davis draws the foul)
5:57
+1
Zachary Davis makes regular free throw 1 of 2
23-18
5:57
+1
Zachary Davis makes regular free throw 2 of 2
23-19
5:35
Tyrese Samuel misses two point layup
5:33
Tyrese Samuel offensive rebound
5:30
Zachary Davis blocks Tyrese Samuel's two point layup
5:28
Collin Murray-Boyles defensive rebound
5:17
+3
Ta'Lon Cooper makes three point jump shot (Zachary Davis assists)
23-22
5:14
Gators 30 second timeout
5:00
Ta'Lon Cooper shooting foul (Tyrese Samuel draws the foul)
5:00
+1
Tyrese Samuel makes regular free throw 1 of 2
24-22
5:00
+1
Tyrese Samuel makes regular free throw 2 of 2
25-22
4:39
+2
Meechie Johnson makes two point layup (Ta'Lon Cooper assists)
25-24
4:28
Walter Clayton Jr. misses three point jump shot
4:26
Thomas Haugh offensive rebound
4:21
+2
Thomas Haugh makes two point layup
27-24
4:06
Thomas Haugh shooting foul (Meechie Johnson draws the foul)
4:06
+1
Meechie Johnson makes regular free throw 1 of 2
27-25
4:06
+1
Meechie Johnson makes regular free throw 2 of 2
27-26
3:46
Meechie Johnson personal foul (Walter Clayton Jr. draws the foul)
3:46
TV timeout
3:46
Walter Clayton Jr. misses regular free throw 1 of 1
3:46
Collin Murray-Boyles defensive rebound
3:22
+2
Collin Murray-Boyles makes two point dunk (B.J. Mack assists)
27-28
3:04
+2
Zyon Pullin makes two point jump shot
29-28
2:40
B.J. Mack misses three point jump shot
2:38
Walter Clayton Jr. defensive rebound
2:25
+2
Alex Condon makes two point hook shot (Walter Clayton Jr. assists)
31-28
2:10
Meechie Johnson misses two point jump shot
2:08
Alex Condon defensive rebound
2:02
+3
Walter Clayton Jr. makes three point jump shot
34-28
1:49
+3
Jacobi Wright makes three point jump shot (Ta'Lon Cooper assists)
34-31
1:34
Zyon Pullin misses two point jump shot
1:32
Collin Murray-Boyles defensive rebound
1:27
Ta'Lon Cooper turnover (lost ball) (Riley Kugel steals)
1:18
Riley Kugel misses two point jump shot
1:16
Riley Kugel offensive rebound
1:05
Alex Condon misses three point jump shot
1:03
Meechie Johnson defensive rebound
0:58
Gamecocks 30 second timeout
0:45
Tyrese Samuel blocks Ta'Lon Cooper's two point layup
0:43
Collin Murray-Boyles offensive rebound
0:31
Jacobi Wright misses two point jump shot
0:29
Tyrese Samuel defensive rebound
0:14
+3
Walter Clayton Jr. makes three point jump shot
37-31
0:03
Micah Handlogten blocks B.J. Mack's three point jump shot
0:01
Micah Handlogten defensive rebound
0:00
End of period
2nd Half
FLA
Gators
39
SCAR
Gamecocks
51
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:49
Meechie Johnson turnover (bad pass) (Tyrese Samuel steals)
19:28
Will Richard misses three point jump shot
19:26
Gamecocks defensive rebound
19:04
Collin Murray-Boyles misses two point layup
19:02
Micah Handlogten defensive rebound
18:51
+2
Tyrese Samuel makes two point hook shot (Walter Clayton Jr. assists)
39-31
18:21
+3
Ta'Lon Cooper makes three point jump shot (B.J. Mack assists)
39-34
17:52
Tyrese Samuel misses two point jump shot
17:50
Collin Murray-Boyles defensive rebound
17:42
Collin Murray-Boyles turnover (lost ball) (Tyrese Samuel steals)
17:22
Ta'Lon Cooper shooting foul (Zyon Pullin draws the foul)
17:22
Zyon Pullin misses regular free throw 1 of 2
17:22
+1
Zyon Pullin makes regular free throw 2 of 2
40-34
17:05
Micah Handlogten shooting foul (Collin Murray-Boyles draws the foul)
17:05
Collin Murray-Boyles misses regular free throw 1 of 2
17:05
+1
Collin Murray-Boyles makes regular free throw 2 of 2
40-35
16:54
+2
Tyrese Samuel makes two point jump shot (Zyon Pullin assists)
42-35
16:42
+2
B.J. Mack makes two point layup (Meechie Johnson assists)
42-37
16:27
Collin Murray-Boyles blocks Zyon Pullin's two point layup
16:25
Meechie Johnson defensive rebound
16:22
+2
Meechie Johnson makes two point layup
42-39
16:22
Walter Clayton Jr. shooting foul (Meechie Johnson draws the foul)
16:22
Meechie Johnson misses regular free throw 1 of 1
16:22
Zyon Pullin defensive rebound
16:16
Walter Clayton Jr. misses three point jump shot
16:14
Meechie Johnson defensive rebound
15:55
Meechie Johnson turnover (bad pass) (Will Richard steals)
15:50
+2
Zyon Pullin makes two point layup
44-39
15:49
TV timeout
15:23
+3
Jacobi Wright makes three point jump shot (Ta'Lon Cooper assists)
44-42
15:06
+3
Walter Clayton Jr. makes three point jump shot (Alex Condon assists)
47-42
14:51
+2
Meechie Johnson makes two point jump shot
47-44
14:19
+3
Walter Clayton Jr. makes three point jump shot (Micah Handlogten assists)
50-44
14:05
Jacobi Wright misses three point jump shot
14:03
Micah Handlogten defensive rebound
13:55
Ta'Lon Cooper shooting foul (Zyon Pullin draws the foul)
13:55
+1
Zyon Pullin makes regular free throw 1 of 2
51-44
13:55
+1
Zyon Pullin makes regular free throw 2 of 2
52-44
13:38
Zyon Pullin personal foul (Collin Murray-Boyles draws the foul)
13:26
B.J. Mack misses two point layup
13:24
Walter Clayton Jr. defensive rebound
13:16
+2
Alex Condon makes two point alley-oop dunk (Zyon Pullin assists)
54-44
12:48
+2
Meechie Johnson makes two point layup
54-46
12:28
Jacobi Wright shooting foul (Zyon Pullin draws the foul)
12:28
+1
Zyon Pullin makes regular free throw 1 of 2
55-46
12:28
+1
Zyon Pullin makes regular free throw 2 of 2
56-46
12:09
B.J. Mack misses three point jump shot
12:07
Riley Kugel defensive rebound
11:56
Thomas Haugh misses three point jump shot
11:54
Jacobi Wright defensive rebound
11:44
+3
Meechie Johnson makes three point stepback jump shot
56-49
11:41
Gamecocks 30 second timeout
11:41
TV timeout
11:28
Josh Gray shooting foul (Alex Condon draws the foul)
11:28
TV timeout
11:28
+1
Alex Condon makes regular free throw 1 of 2
57-49
11:28
+1
Alex Condon makes regular free throw 2 of 2
58-49
11:06
+2
Josh Gray makes two point hook shot (Zachary Davis assists)
58-51
11:06
Alex Condon shooting foul (Josh Gray draws the foul)
11:06
+1
Josh Gray makes regular free throw 1 of 1
58-52
10:56
Walter Clayton Jr. turnover (bad pass) (Zachary Davis steals)
10:54
Walter Clayton Jr. personal foul
10:38
Walter Clayton Jr. blocks Jacobi Wright's two point layup
10:36
Gamecocks offensive rebound
10:34
Jacobi Wright misses three point jump shot
10:32
Thomas Haugh defensive rebound
10:03
Riley Kugel turnover (bad pass)
9:37
Will Richard shooting foul (Collin Murray-Boyles draws the foul)
9:37
+1
Collin Murray-Boyles makes regular free throw 1 of 2
58-53
9:37
+1
Collin Murray-Boyles makes regular free throw 2 of 2
58-54
9:17
Riley Kugel turnover (lost ball) (Ta'Lon Cooper steals)
9:12
Will Richard blocks Zachary Davis's two point layup
9:10
Riley Kugel defensive rebound
9:05
+2
Riley Kugel makes two point layup
60-54
9:03
Gators 30 second timeout
8:48
Jacobi Wright misses three point jump shot
8:46
Josh Gray offensive rebound
8:45
Micah Handlogten shooting foul (Josh Gray draws the foul)
8:45
Josh Gray misses regular free throw 1 of 2
8:45
+1
Josh Gray makes regular free throw 2 of 2
60-55
8:19
Will Richard misses three point jump shot
8:17
Gamecocks defensive rebound
8:00
Tyrese Samuel shooting foul (Collin Murray-Boyles draws the foul)
8:00
TV timeout
8:00
+1
Collin Murray-Boyles makes regular free throw 1 of 2
60-56
8:00
+1
Collin Murray-Boyles makes regular free throw 2 of 2
60-57
7:30
+3
Zyon Pullin makes three point pullup jump shot
63-57
7:08
Micah Handlogten personal foul (Josh Gray draws the foul)
7:08
+1
Josh Gray makes regular free throw 1 of 2
63-58
7:08
Josh Gray misses regular free throw 2 of 2
7:08
Alex Condon defensive rebound
6:46
Walter Clayton Jr. misses three point jump shot
6:44
Collin Murray-Boyles defensive rebound
6:29
Tyrese Samuel shooting foul (Meechie Johnson draws the foul)
6:29
Meechie Johnson misses regular free throw 1 of 2
6:29
+1
Meechie Johnson makes regular free throw 2 of 2
63-59
6:10
Will Richard misses three point jump shot
6:08
Collin Murray-Boyles defensive rebound
5:59
+2
Collin Murray-Boyles makes two point driving floating jump shot (Meechie Johnson assists)
63-61
5:42
Walter Clayton Jr. turnover (lost ball) (Zachary Davis steals)
5:37
Meechie Johnson misses three point jump shot
5:35
Zachary Davis offensive rebound
5:34
Riley Kugel shooting foul (Collin Murray-Boyles draws the foul)
5:34
+1
Collin Murray-Boyles makes regular free throw 1 of 2
63-62
5:34
+1
Collin Murray-Boyles makes regular free throw 2 of 2
63-63
5:19
Walter Clayton Jr. turnover (lost ball) (Meechie Johnson steals)
5:05
+2
Meechie Johnson makes two point layup
63-65
4:46
Zachary Davis personal foul
4:41
+2
Tyrese Samuel makes two point floating jump shot (Zyon Pullin assists)
65-65
4:17
+3
Ta'Lon Cooper makes three point stepback jump shot
65-68
3:49
+3
Walter Clayton Jr. makes three point jump shot (Zyon Pullin assists)
68-68
3:22
+2
Meechie Johnson makes two point stepback jump shot
68-70
3:09
Zyon Pullin turnover (bad pass) (Ta'Lon Cooper steals)
3:04
Walter Clayton Jr. blocks Ta'Lon Cooper's two point layup
3:02
Meechie Johnson offensive rebound
3:00
+2
Meechie Johnson makes two point layup
68-72
3:00
TV timeout
2:44
Ta'Lon Cooper personal foul (Zyon Pullin draws the foul)
2:38
Walter Clayton Jr. turnover (Meechie Johnson steals)
2:08
B.J. Mack misses three point jump shot
2:06
Gators defensive rebound
1:55
+3
Riley Kugel makes three point jump shot (Zyon Pullin assists)
71-72
1:28
+2
Meechie Johnson makes two point driving floating jump shot
71-74
1:14
+3
Walter Clayton Jr. makes three point jump shot (Zyon Pullin assists)
74-74
0:45
+3
Meechie Johnson makes three point jump shot
74-77
0:45
Gamecocks 60 second timeout
0:34
Zyon Pullin misses two point layup
0:32
Collin Murray-Boyles defensive rebound
0:32
Tyrese Samuel personal foul (Collin Murray-Boyles draws the foul)
0:32
+1
Collin Murray-Boyles makes regular free throw 1 of 2
74-78
0:32
+1
Collin Murray-Boyles makes regular free throw 2 of 2
74-79
0:30
Gators 30 second timeout
0:24
Walter Clayton Jr. misses three point jump shot
0:22
Will Richard offensive rebound
0:21
Will Richard turnover (bad pass)
0:18
Collin Murray-Boyles turnover (out of bounds)
0:13
Collin Murray-Boyles personal foul (Walter Clayton Jr. draws the foul)
0:13
+1
Walter Clayton Jr. makes regular free throw 1 of 2
75-79
0:13
+1
Walter Clayton Jr. makes regular free throw 2 of 2
76-79
0:12
Zyon Pullin personal foul (Jacobi Wright draws the foul)
0:12
+1
Jacobi Wright makes regular free throw 1 of 2
76-80
0:12
Jacobi Wright misses regular free throw 2 of 2
0:12
Thomas Haugh defensive rebound
0:05
Collin Murray-Boyles blocks Walter Clayton Jr.'s three point jump shot
0:03
Zachary Davis defensive rebound
0:02
Walter Clayton Jr. personal foul (Zachary Davis draws the foul)
