Jan 2, 2003

By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Carlos Powell tied his career high with 20 points and South Carolina continued its longtime dominance against the Citadel with a 66-50 victory Thursday night.

Michael Boynton added a career-high 14 points for the Gamecocks (6-4), who have won nine straight over the Bulldogs – and 49 of their past 51 meetings dating to the 1938-39 season.

After a slow start, South Carolina made this one look like all the rest.

The Citadel (4-6) led 21-19 after Kenny Milford’s drive finished a 10-2 run with about seven minutes left in the opening period. But then Boynton, who had only five 3-pointers all year, made three straight from behind the arc as South Carolina closed the half with a 14-1 surge to take a 33-22 lead.

Boynton’s first 3-pointer put the Gamecocks up 27-21. After Milford made a foul shot, Boynton hit a second open three and, after a Citadel turnover, made his third with 1:15 to go for a lead South Carolina would not give up.

Things continued the same way after the break.

Powell’s bucket grew the lead to 58-34 with more than six minutes left.

The Citadel was not only shooting poorly, it could not get off shots. The Bulldogs went only 3-of-11 in the second half’s first 14 minutes and made only seven field goals in the period.

Clyde Wormley led the Bulldogs with 11 points, only three in the second half.

Powell made 7-of-11 shots from the field, tying his career best of 20 points set Dec. 2 in a 66-47 win over Temple.

Boynton finished with four 3-pointers and surpassed his career-scoring mark of 12 points set last season against Mercer.

About the only problem for South Carolina was an injury to 6-foot-10 center Marius Petravicius, who hurt his left knee in the first half. He’ll have an MRI done Friday. The Gamecocks also are playing without 6-10 Tony Kitchings, recovering from hand surgery last month.