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MBB: Gamecocks move to top of SEC standings

Photo Gallery by Chris Gillespie

South Carolina beat LSU 94-83 at Colonial Life Arena Wednesday night in a battle for first place in the SEC. Sindarius Thornwell was clutch down the stretch and scored a game-high 24 points.

LSU came to Columbia with the hotshot freshman and presumptive top pick in the NBA draft (Ben Simmons), but South Carolina had a pretty good freshman of its own and some veteran savvy. LSU was able to take a brief lead midway through a first half that was dominated by the officials, but South Carolina led the rest of the way before pulling away late.

Both teams were called for 14 fouls in the first half, and the game dissolved into a sloppy affair as both coaches went deep into the bench to keep starters from picking up a third foul. South Carolina led 39-35 at halftime despite getting just two minutes from leading scorer and rebounder Michael Carrera.

The fouls continued into the second half in what became something of a war of attrition. Each team had two players foul out, and at times the Gamecocks were so short-handed trying to save players that little-used 6-6 freshman Ray Doby was guarding the 6-10 Simmons, the presumptive number one pick. But Doby did his best, and fellow freshman PJ Dozier went toe-to-toe with Simmons.

The Gamecocks surged to a nine-point lead in the opening moments of the second half, but the Tigers came back and tied the game at 58 with 10:50 left to play. Thornwell put the Gamecocks back on top, but Craig Victor II hit a pair of free throws to tie the game again. Then the Gamecocks' forgotten freshmen took over.

Dozier drove to the lane, and pulled up just in front of Simmons. He made the jumper and drew the foul on Simmons. The play by the relatively unheralded (for a McDonald's All-American) Dozier over the superstar ignited the players and the crowd, and gave Dozier a much-needed confidence boost.

Doby came up with a steal on defense and passed the ball ahead to Dozier for a layup. After a basket by Simmons, Dozier returned the favor, drawing the defense in and hitting Doby with a nice pass. After the media timeout, Doby, who had made only four free throws in only four attempts all season long, went to the line and calmly sank both shots. Dozier added a basket on the Gamecocks next possession, and then in the unlikeliest play, Doby posted up Victor, drew the foul and banked in a turnaround jumper for a three-point play.

"I was just running the offense. We set up the offense and I was able to put the ball in the basket," Dozier said. "I know that I can put the ball in the basket. I was just the lucky one tonight."

"That dribble weave we ran was set up for him," USC coach Frank Martin said. "He converted."

Simmons, who was too big and too quick for the Gamecocks in the post, scored on another layup, but then Dozier fed Carrera for a layup. Carrera returned the favor, stealing the ball from Simmons to set up Dozier with a three-point play. And after the freshmen got South Carolina the 77-68 lead, the veterans finished it off.

Carrera scored the next five points for South Carolina, drawing Simmons' fourth foul in the process. Laimonas Chatkevicius drew Victor's fifth foul, and made both free throws. Thornwell made three out of four free throws on the next two possessions to give South Carolina an 87-81 lead with 42 seconds left. Then the defense, which was overmatched much of the game, took over.

"On defense we were on survival mode all game," Martin said. He added that the offense had to protect the defense most of the night. "We took good shots and didn't turn it over."

Duane Notice, who scored 15, made his biggest play of the game when he jumped the passing lane for a steal. He was fouled and made one of the free throws. On the following possession, it was Carrera getting a hand in front of Simmons to steal a pass. He got the ball to Thornwell who was fouled, making both free throws. Carrera added two free throws, and then after a layup by Simmons, Thornwell got behind the defense and finished the game with an emphatic dunk.

"Late in the game we did not do the things necessary to put ourselves in a position to win the game," LSU coach Johnny Jones said. " Against good teams like this you can't make mistakes."

With the win, South Carolina is now tied for first place in the SEC with Kentucky, who comes to Columbia on Saturday. Martin joked that he will celebrate the win over LSu by watching Kentucky film when he gets home.

"Let's watch Kentucky: Oh, they're no good," he said. "'How do you guard him?' I have no idea."

In addition to his 24 points, Thornwell also had six rebounds and five assists. Carrera finished with 16 points, 14 in the second half, and six rebounds. Dozier added 12 points and three assists.

Simmons finished with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists. Blakeney led LSU with 22 points.

Notes:

Before the game, Michael Carrera was presented with a game ball in recognition of his joining the 1,000-point club. ... There were 30 fouls called on LSU and 26 called on South Carolina. ... South Carolina shot 27-36 from the line, while LSU was only 16-28. ...Two of the three officials Wednesday, Pat Adams and John Hampton, also worked South Carolina's game against Memphis, when South Carolina set a school record for free throws made and attempted. Joe Lindsay, who is known for being whistle-happy himself, was the third official. ... South Carolina outrebounded LSU 36-33. ... Martin said he was "frustrated" that neither LSU nor South Carolina is ranked. He bemoaned that in no other Power 5 conference would two teams tied for first place be unranked. ... Jamall Gregory tied his career-high with 18 minutes played. ... Doby also tied his career-high with seven minutes played. ...Attendance was 16,009. South Carolina's next game is Saturday at noon versus Kentucky.

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