COLUMBIA, S.C.  — Will Richard scored on a driving layup with 4.8 seconds remaining to lift No. 5 Florida — down 14 points in the the second half — past South Carolina, 70-69 on Wednesday night.

Richard finished with 22 points for the Gators (17-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference). He drove left from the top of the key and banked in the go-ahead layup.

Jacobi Wright’s desperation 3-pointer was off the mark as South Carolina (10-9, 0-6) continued its worst start in SEC play since the 2013-14 season.

Walter Clayton Jr. had 16 points for the Gators — who trailed 52-38 with 12 minutes, 46 seconds to play — and set the program record with a 3-pointer in his 42nd straight game.

Takeaways

Florida: The Gators have had uneven start to the SEC with a victory over then-top ranked Tennessee and a loss to Missouri at home two games ago.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks have never started 0-7 in SEC play, but that’s what looms with No. 14 Mississippi State headed to Columbia on Saturday.

Key moment

Trailing by 13 points with less than 9 minutes left, Florida forced three consecutive turnovers in the backcourt that led to baskets that cut it to 58-51. The Gamecocks could not settle themselves after that.

Key stat

Florida outscored South Carolina 22-0 on fast-break points.

Up next

Both teams are back in action Saturday. Florida returns home to face Georgia, and South Carolina faces No. 14 Mississippi State.