Dec. 22, 2010

Final Stats

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Bruce Ellington scored a career-high 31 points, but it wasn’t enough as South Carolina (7-3) dropped a 91-75 decision to Furman (8-2) Wednesday night at Timmons Arena in Greenville.

Heading into Wednesday night’s game, South Carolina had won 12 consecutive games against the Paladins dating back to an 81-53 loss in Greenville on Feb. 20, 1980. The loss continues the road woes for South Carolina this season, which moves to 1-3 away from Colonial Life Arena this year.

Five Paladins scored in double-digits, led by Amu Saaka’s 20 points. Furman won the rebounding battle with a 44-26 margin.

South Carolina trailed 41-33 at the half, mainly thanks to Furman senior Justin Dehm’s 15-point and 5-for-5 effort from beyond the arc. Ellington was Carolina’s leading scorer at the break with 11 points and four rebounds.

Finding themselves down 50-38 with 16:20 remaining in the second half, Ramon Galloway and Brian Richardson combined to score South Carolina’s next 16 points while the team limited Furman to only free throws the cut the Paladin lead down to three points at 57-54 over a five-minute span.

The Paladins pushed the lead back to double-digits with free throws and turnovers, and the Gamecocks were not able to recover. South Carolina closed to within five points, 70-65, with 6:58 remaining in the game, but the Paladins extended the lead to take the victory.

South Carolina will take a week off before hosting Jacksonville State at Colonial Life Arena next Wednesday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m.