Gators smother Miami, advance to Charleston Classic final

Kerry Blackshear Jr.

For the first 27 minutes, Miami and Florida went back-and-forth, trading runs in a game that looked primed for a final possession finish.

The Gators, though, changed that narrative quickly.

With a little over 13 minutes to play, UF’s 52-49 advantage turned into as much as 23 down the stretch as it shut down the Hurricanes offensively and defeated Miami 78-58 at TD Arena in the semifinals of the Charleston Classic on Friday.

Early in the game, Miami controlled play.

The Hurricanes (4-2) held a 14-8 lead with 14 and a half minutes to go in the first.