It wasn’t pretty or overly impressive, but the Florida Gators men’s basketball team got a big win tonight in South Carolina with a 72-68 win over the Gamecocks. And while South Carolina wouldn’t normally be considered a “big” win for a Florida basketball team, this early road conference victory could prove to be key for the Gators in several ways going forward this season.

It was the Gators proving that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the conference.

The Gators (8-6) finally pulled out a tough win, overcoming a deficit with 15 minutes left in the game to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, despite a flurry from the Gamecocks at the end. What’s really important is that last four trips to the line in the game, the Gators hit both of their free throw attempts. It was the difference in the game.

Additionally, a win to start conference play gives the Gators an opportunity to get back in the race for an NCAA birth. Florida lost six games in a tough early conference play, but if they can get winning in conference and establish themselves as the conference’s second best team.

This was a road game against a rising South Carolina team that’s looking for another big win to establish themselves as a new conference power. Still, it was the Gators proving that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the conference.

The Gators got better on free throws, making 25 of 30 from the stripe, an improvement over the 8-20 performance on Saturday versus UConn. It was a season-high 83 percent for the Gators.

Eli Carter, Michael Frazier, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jacob Kurtz all made both free throws with less than 2 mins to go. These free throws were critical, as the Gamecocks twice hit three pointers on set plays, and got fouled on a drive to the basket, keeping the score close to the very last seconds.

Finney-Smith is proving to be the Florida Gators go-to guy, putting up 22 points tonight and grabbing 7 rebounds. And while Frazier isn’t shooting as lights-out as many thought the guard would before the season, he contributed 15 points, making 3 of 5 three point attempts.

The Gators were without the center Jon Horford, who was suspended for detrimental conduct and whose future availability is unclear. Florida plays next on Saturday in Gainesville against Mississippi State (7-6).