South Carolina overcomes 2nd-half scoring drought to outlast Florida

Updated: Jan 20, 2013, 04:37 pm

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Khadijah Sessions had 15 points and No. 19 South Carolina held off Florida 52-44 Sunday despite a 9-minute scoreless drought.

The Gamecocks (16-3, 4-2 Southeastern Conference), whose 59 rebounds were the most in coach Dawn Staley's five seasons, led 17-6 early and 24-17 at halftime.

Jaterra Bonds, who paced the Gators with 16 points, tied it at 35 on a layup with 12:14 left, but South Carolina rattled off 10 straight points, capped by Ashley Bruner's layup with 9:39 remaining, and Elem Ibiam had two key blocks.

The Gamecocks would not score again -- missing 14 field goals and six free throws -- until Bruner made 1 of 2 free throws with 32 seconds left for a 46-42 lead.

After Sydney Moss' jumper made it 47-44, South Carolina hit 5 of 6 free throws in the final 15 seconds.

Florida (13-6, 2-3) posted its lowest point total of the season.