Dec. 1, 2004

Box Score | Quotes | Notes

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Tarence Kinsey scored 15 of 19 points in the first half to lead South Carolina to a 91-57 win over Appalachian State on Wednesday night.

With all five starters scoring, the Gamecocks (4-0) took the an early 14-3 lead with 13:20 left in the first half. South Carolina led 20-11 with 7:56 left on one of two foul shots by Kinsey before the Mountaineers (3-2) rallied.

Appalachian State, which started 2 of 11 from the floor, hit 7-of-9 shots to pull within five twice in the final seven minutes. But the Gamecocks closed on a 9-2 run to go up 36-23, capped by a nice steal-to-dunk play, one of the game’s most spectacular highlights.

Renaldo Balkman started the play, stealing the ball from Douglass Williams along the sideline. As Balkman fell out of bounds he flicked the ball to Josh Gonner, whose behind-the-back pass hit Brandon Wallace at halfcourt. Wallace raced down court and hit Balkman, who slammed the ball home with 14 seconds left for his only points of the half.

The Gamecocks led 44-25 in the first 1:36 of the second half and coasted to victory.

Carlos Powell added 15 points and Antoine Tisby had 13, including 7 of 10 from the foul line, for the Gamecocks while Chris McFarland led the Mountaineers with 17 points and seven rebounds.