COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina's Travis Kraft learned
something about himself. Florida coach Billy Donovan hopes his team
has, too.
Kraft, a sophomore 3-point specialist, didn't get in until there
were 19.6 seconds left. But that was enough for him to hit the
game-winning 3-pointer -- estimated at 25 feet -- at the buzzer as
South Carolina opened the Southeastern Conference season with a
69-68 victory over the Gators (No. 6 ESPN/USA Today, No. 5 AP) on Sunday.
|  | | Travis Kraft soaks in the cheers of the Carolina Coliseum crowd after hitting his winning shot -- the only one he took in his 19.6 seconds of play. |
"Before the game and at halftime, coach (Eddie Fogler)
personally said, 'Travis, be ready. We may need you,' " said Kraft,
who is 2-for-9 from long range this season. "When he says that, I'm
supposed to be a shooter."
The Gators (10-2, 0-1 SEC) played without injured star Brent
Wright and leading scorer Udonis Haslem was held to four points
because of foul trouble. But up 63-53 with 4:49 remaining, they looked like
they would survive.
Even in the final moments, things looked promising when Matt
Bonner, who led the team with 18 points and 15 rebounds, stepped to
the foul line with 11.5 seconds left. But he missed, giving South
Carolina a final chance.
"Maybe we played more not to lose instead of to win," Donovan
said. "A lot of those guys have never been in a situation like
this."
The lineup Florida hoped to have at the finish didn't materialize.
Point guard Teddy Dupay had fouled out. Haslem, Donovan said, was
never a factor. Wright was on crutches with a stress fracture.
"I think this could help us down the road," Donovan said.
That was hard for Bonner and his teammates to think about.
"We just lost on a shot at the buzzer," said Bonner, eyes red
as he spoke. "We just didn't make the plays we needed to make."
Bonner, who missed a one-and-one attempt just seconds before,
missed a second foul shot with Florida ahead 68-66 to set up the
final crazy moments.
Kraft made the only play he was asked to execute.
He inbounded the ball to Calvin Clemmons with 2.5 seconds left.
"I was looking for it right away," Kraft said.
Clemmons passed it right back and Kraft swished his long shot
and sent the Carolina Coliseum into hysterics.
"I don't know if it's hit me yet," said Kraft, who was buried
by fans and teammates as soon as the ball went through.
Kraft was pretty much alone for the shot. Donovan said coaches
pointed out Kraft's 3-point prowess, but "even if we had a hand in
his face, when you make a shot like that, you've got to give him
credit."
Fogler said his team was fortunate to win at the buzzer, "but
luck's part of it. I'm more pleased with how down 10 we put
ourselves in position to be lucky."
Jamel Bradley led South Carolina (9-3, 1-0) with 16 points and
Lucas had 15. In addition to Bonner's 18, Brett Nelson had 13 and
Orien Greene had 12 for Florida.
"We just made too many mistakes here," Bonner said.
Florida was ahead 63-53 after Bonner's two baskets led a 12-4
run.
The Gamecocks were 21-for-40 on free throws but made seven of
their last 10. Rolando Howell's two foul shots made it 65-64 with
1:46 to go and Lucas' driving bucket with 39.8 made it 67-66.
Lucas' driving layup try with 13 seconds remaining fell short
and was rebounded by Bonner.
"I didn't know if we'd get another chance," Lucas said. "I thought maybe that was the ballgame. It's
great to win like this because it gives us confidence."
Neither team shot well in the first half. The Gators made
9-for-22 and the Gamecocks, 7-for-25.
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ALSO SEE
Men's College Basketball Scoreboard
Florida Clubhouse
South Carolina Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Coach Eddie Fogler knew Travis Kraft's shot was good as soon as he released it.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
South Carolina's Aaron Lucas felt as if everything was in slow motion when the shot went up.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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