March 5, 2009

Recap | Final Stats | Quotes

–Zam Fredrick and Branden Conrad were honored prior to the game as part of Senior Night. Fredrick made the most of his final game at Colonial Life Arena, knocking down his first three 3-point attempts en route to a 16-point night. Conrad entered the game in the final minutes after missing the last 19 games with a foot injury, and attempted one shot.

–South Carolina has clinched a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament for the first time since 1998 as the Gamecocks would prevail in any tiebreaker situation with Florida or Kentucky. It will be the third time since Carolina joined the SEC that the Gamecocks will not have to play on the first day.

–The Gamecocks complete the home season with a 16-2 overall mark, 7-1 in SEC play. Both are the best showing for the Gamecocks since moving into Colonial Life Arena prior to the 2002-03 season. It’s the best mark since going 13-1 at Carolina Coliseum during the 1997-98 season.

–The Gamecocks followed up their 16-block performance against Kentucky with another double-digit effort against the Vols tonight. Carolina had 10 blocks in the contest, led by Sam Muldrow with four.

–South Carolina had four players in double figures, led by Devan Downey and Zam Fredrick with 16 points apiece. Mike Holmes and Brandis Raley-Ross each added 10. The Gamecocks are now 13-7 on the year when at least four players hit double digits in the points column.

–Devan Downey equaled Fredrick to share the team lead with 16 points on the night. Downey also contributed six assist, three rebounds and one steal.

–Downey was in double-digits for the 27th time in 28 games this season. Now at 1,150 points in his two years as a Gamecock, Downey moves ahead of Joe Rhett (1,142) for 28th place all-time at Carolina.

–Mike Holmes had his 20th double-digit effort of the 2008-09 season as he scored 10 points tonight. Holmes also had three rebounds and a steal.

–Sam Muldrow has now totaled 11 blocks in the last two home games after a four-rejection performance tonight. He also contributed six points and a team-high four rebounds in 25 minutes of action.

–Austin Steed equaled a career high with three blocks, matching his effort from his game against Wofford on Jan. 5.