GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In a thrilling match on Saturday night, Denzel Aberdeen and Thomas Haugh each reached new personal bests, scoring 22 and 20 points, respectively, as the third-ranked Florida Gators triumphed over the South Carolina Gamecocks with an impressive 88-67 victory, despite missing two frontline players.

The Gators, now boasting a record of 22 wins and 3 losses with 9 wins against SEC opponents, went into halftime with a slim four-point lead. However, they quickly surged ahead in the second half with a powerful 12-1 run, establishing a comfortable margin that South Carolina (10-15, 0-12 in SEC play) could not overcome.

Making his long-awaited return after suffering a severe leg injury in the SEC championship game last year, Florida center Micah Handlogten contributed modestly with 2 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists.

The Gators had to compete without starting forward Alex Condon, who is sidelined with a right ankle injury, as well as backup Sam Alexis, who is dealing with a left ankle issue. Handlogten, who decided against redshirting this season, hopes to make a significant impact as Florida aims for a noteworthy season.

Alijah Martin made his comeback following a two-game absence due to a hip pointer, contributing 11 points to the team’s total, including three 3-pointers from the Gators’ total of 14.

Jacobi Wright was the standout performer for South Carolina, finishing the game with 13 points but unable to secure a win for his team.

**Highlights of the Game:**

For South Carolina, the Gamecocks are still in search of their first victory in conference play this season. In contrast, Florida is positioning itself strongly for the NCAA Tournament, appearing as a potential No. 1 seed as they navigate a challenging February schedule.

**Notable Moments:**

A striking moment occurred when Martin sunk a three-pointer late in the first half, as the ball ricocheted off the back of the rim, ascended several feet into the air, and then gracefully fell through the net.

**Game Stats:**

Aberdeen had an efficient shooting night, making 8 of 12 shots, while Haugh shot 6 of 10, combining for a productive 14 of 22 from the floor. Together, they were impressive from the three-point line, converting 8 of 13 attempts.

**Next Up:**

Looking ahead, South Carolina will face LSU on Tuesday, while Florida will be hosting Oklahoma on the same night.