GAINESVILLE, FL.– Florida basketball will take on No. 1 South Carolina in their first Southeastern conference game of the year. This will be the Gators second straight home game after defeating Winthrop on Saturday 73-36. Florida is coming off a successful non-conference season with a 9-3 record and is looking to continue that momentum into Thursday's contest against the Gamecocks.
SOUTH CAROLINA (12-0, 0-0 SEC)
Date: Thursday, Jan. 4
Time: 7 p.m.
Site:
Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center
Stream:
SECN
Radio:
ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM
Stats:
StatBroadcast
Tickets
SERIES RECORD:
South Carolina currently holds the all-time series 21-20 over the Gators. Florida will aim to tie up the series at 21 a piece Thursday night in the O'Dome.
HISTORY:
Florida last saw the Gamecocks on Feb. 16, 2023, in Columbia, falling 87-56. The Gamecocks have edged Florida in their last 15 matchups, putting the Gators in a drought against South Carolina. Florida's most recent win against South Carolina dates back to January of 2011, however, the last time the Gamecoks came to the O'Dome (1/30/22), Florida nearly came out on top. In 2022, Florida outscored the Gamecocks in the second half, forced 21 turnovers, and was led overall by Kiara Smith with 22 points.
FLORIDA'S LAST GAME:
Florida will return home Thursday night, after defeating Winthrop 73-36 five days prior. In the Gators last time out they were shooting 51.9 percent from the field, and had three players in double figures for scoring. Florida was led on offense by
Aliyah Matharu with 12 points and on the boards by
Ra Shaya Kyle with 11 rebounds. The Gators are now on a three-game winning streak as they enter conference play.
ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA:
South Carolina is currently first in the nation with an undefeated 12-0 record. The Gamecocks will be traveling to Gainesville with their last time out being a 73-36 win over Eastern Carolina on Saturday afternoon.
Overall, South Carolina is led by Kamilla Cardoso with an average of 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds a game. The Gamecocks have three other players averaging in double figures for scoring; MiLaysia Fulwiley (12.1 ppg), Te-Hina Paopao (12.0 ppg), and Chloe Kitts (10.8 ppg).
#GoGators
