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SPORTS Monday 27 March 2017

South Carolina Headed to Final Four, Beats Florida 77-70

26 points for the seventh-
seeded Gamecocks (26-
10) against the fourth-
seeded Gators (27-9) in the
all-Southeastern Confer-
ence matchup.
South Carolina will face
Gonzaga, the No. 1 seed
from the West Regional, in
the Final Four on Saturday
at Glendale, Arizona.
‘’Gamecock Nation, we
heard you loud and clear,’’
coach Frank Martin roared
as the team prepared to
cut down the nets. ‘’We’ll
see you in Phoenix.’’
The game was as close
as expected until the final
minute.
There were 14 lead chang-
es and 10 ties. The last lead
change came on two free
throws by Thornwell with
2:24 left that made it 65-63.
Florida managed just three
field goals over the final
3:55.
Thornwell, the regional
MVP, followed the decid-
ing free throws with a nice
assist to Maik Kotsar for a
4-point lead.
It seemed Thornwell, who
scored eight straight points
for the Gamecocks, was
always where he needed
to be including making a
steal with 40 seconds left
that turned into a 73-68
lead.
‘’I just made plays,’’ Thorn-
well said. ‘’Plays needed to
be made down the stretch
and I stepped up and
made plays.’’
‘’Thornwell was just being
Thornwell,’’ Florida coach
Mike White said of the SEC
player of the year. ‘’He’s
one of the best players in
the country.’’
PJ Dozier added 17 points
for the Gamecocks, Chris
Silva had 13 and Kotsar 12.
It all totaled to a Final Four
South Carolina guard Duane Notice (10) dunks the ball against Florida during the second half of the East Regional championship trip for Martin, he of the
game of the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 26, 2017, in New York. South Carolina won 77-70. booming voice and terrify-
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez) ing faces.
NEW YORK (AP) -- It’s only earned through its defense. down the stretch to beat at Madison Square Gar-
right that South Carolina’s A team known for a swarm- Florida 77-70 on Sunday den. Continued on page 21
first trip to Final Four was ing zone used it effectively and win the East Regional Sindarius Thornwell scored