In a game dominated by Florida’s post presence, it was a guard who stole the show.
Ndidi Madu scored a career-high 17 points and Jennifer George added 10 rebounds, but Lanita Bartley’s steal and layup with just 16 seconds remaining sealed a 65-63 victory for UF (12-5, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) over host South Carolina (9-7, 1-2 SEC).
Trailing by one with only 32 seconds remaining, the Gators found themselves in control for the final possession with a chance to win. But Deana Allen’s jumper in the lane missed everything and went out of bounds, giving South Carolina possession.
However, Bartley grabbed a steal on the ensuing inbounds play, hit the go-ahead layup in traffic and drew a foul to clinch the Florida victory.
“Every time she came to the bench, I kept telling her, ‘You’re going to make the play. We just need you to stay intense and ready,’” coach Amanda Butler said. “It just so happens that she gets the huge and-one at the end that puts us ahead.
“We practice late-game situations every day, and I’m sure the team gets tired of it, but this is why you do it.”
Sunday’s win snaps a streak of four consecutive losses away from Gainesville.
After besting the Gamecocks in nearly every facet, it appeared the Gators’ 19 turnovers would bear the blame for yet another close loss. Instead, it was an uncharacteristic miscue, and only the 10th South Carolina turnover, that set up the final possession and victory for Florida.
The Gators, who did most of their damage inside, were 26 of 46 from the floor for a season-high 56.5 shooting percentage.
Florida captain and leading scorer Jordan Jones, a former Gamecock, struggled to get open looks but made the most of them when she did. Jones (six points) fought her way open and drained a three with 1:31 remaining, giving the Gators a 62-61 lead.
It was a back-and-forth battle for much of the final 20 minutes, and a Gators team not known for finishing in crunch time finally got it done.
Freshman guard Jaterra Bonds finished with 11 points and Bartley added nine points, four rebounds and two steals as Florida finished its two-game road swing at 1-1.
Madu’s 17 points came on 7-of-9 shooting in only 22 minutes of action. Butler praised Madu for taking comfortable looks and her team as a whole for winning the edge in rebounding.
“To win the rebounding battle is the story of the game because we had to get stops and we had to get rebounds,” Butler said. “This was a great win and a big momentum builder, as we have the opportunity to return and play back on our home court on Thursday.”
A radio broadcast contributed to this report.
