Jan. 3, 2007

Recap | Final Stats | Quotes

USC-Western Carolina Game Notes
Jan. 3, 2007

The 20 points by Bryce Sheldon are the most he’s ever scored in Columbia during his two-year stay with the Gamecocks. He is in double-figures for the fifth time this year and has scored 20+ in two games this year (22 at Southern California on 11/16/06).

Freshmen in double figures: Brandis Raley-Ross scored in double figures for the first time in five games (last time: 11 vs. Baylor on 12/9/06). He posted 13 of his career high 18 points in the second half. His previous career high was 17 against Southern California on 11/16/06, and against Lipscomb on 11/19/06. He has scored in double digits six times in his career. Dominique Archie scored in double figures for the third straight game and the fifth time in his career.

Brandon Wallace has eight rebounds in 11 of 12 games this year – the only game he didn’t was his 6 REB performance vs. UNCA when he scored 12 PT and 7 AST. He has 10+ REB for the fifth time this season and the 13th time in his career.

WCU took its first lead of the game at 16:45 on 2 FT by Nick Aldridge to make it 35-34 WCU in the second half. USC regained the lead with 14:07 on the clock on a 3 by Brandis Raley-Ross (37-35 USC).

Western Carolina ended the first half on a 9-2 run (3:58) after USC led by as many as 11 in the first half (last 11 point lead – 24-13 at 7:56).

Dwayne Day totaled a career-high seven assists.

Freshman Evaldus (Evka) Baniulis started his first career game in place of senior point guard Tre’ Kelley. Kelley had started 55 straight games leading up to tonight. This is the first game during his 114-game USC career that he has not played in due to injury. He has a sprained left knee he suffered against Jacksonville (Dec. 29).

Carolina hit 7 of its 9 three-pointers in the second half. They were 7 of 15 from beyond the arc in the second half.