COLUMBIA, S.C. — Erving Walker scored a season-high 25 points and No. 17 Florida used a quick start and some hot shooting to put away South Carolina 79-60 Wednesday night.
The Gators (19-5, 8-2 Southeastern Conference) led 9-0, were up by 11 at the half and shot better than 55 percent, their best showing since November. They maintained their large lead atop the SEC Eastern Division and gave Billy Donovan his 350th victory as the school's coach.
Florida has had its struggles with South Carolina the past few seasons, losing three of their previous five meetings, including a 72-69 defeat at the O'Connell Center earlier this year.
But Walker, Vernon Macklin and Chandler Parsons combined to shoot 20 of 28 against the Gamecocks (13-9, 4-5).
Bruce Ellington had 14 points to lead South Carolina, which has lost four of its last five.
