March 9, 2003

Box Score?|? Quotes

By JEFFREY COLLINS
Associated Press Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Jarvis Hayes and Steve Thomas combined for all 10 Georgia points in overtime and the 25th-ranked Bulldogs beat South Carolina 60-55 on Sunday.

The win was the second in three games for Georgia since the basketball program was charged by a former player with providing extra benefits and academic improprieties.

The Bulldogs (19-8, 11-5 Southeastern Conference) beat No. 3 Florida 83-81 on Tuesday night, and just like at that game, Georgia coach Jim Harrick drew most of the attention.

Members of the national media were in attendance, fans jeered Harrick before the game and there were yells of “Cheater!” and “Goodbye Harrick!” as the coach gave a postgame interview.

South Carolina (12-15, 5-11) led by 11 points with 9:49 to go in regulation, but had just three field goals over the game’s final 14:49.

Hayes led Georgia with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Thomas had 14 points and 11 rebounds.

It was only the second win in 12 games in Columbia for Georgia since South Carolina joined the SEC in 1991.

Chris Warren led South Carolina with 14 points, while Tony Kitchings had 10 points and 13 rebounds and Rolando Howell added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

South Carolina started the second half on a 26-11 run to take a 48-37 lead with 9:49 to go. But suddenly the Gamecocks went cold, making one field goal the rest of regulation.

Georgia tied it at 50 on Chris Daniels’ free throws with 2:34 left. Dainels had sparked the Bulldogs’ 13-2 run with a steal and dunk immediately after hitting two free throws.

Neither team would score the rest of the second half. South Carolina lost its chance for a game-winning shot in regulation when Warren was called for an offensive foul with less than 6 seconds to go, and Richard Wehunt’s 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer was off the mark.

Harrick’s program is answering allegations that his son and assistant coach, Jim Harrick Jr., provided former Bulldog Tony Cole with $300 to pay a telephone bill, paid more than $1,200 in hotel bills, had collegiate course work done for him and gave him an “A” in a class he never attended.

Georgia has suspended Harrick Jr. and will not rehire him when his contract expires in the summer.

And at Harrick’s old job at Rhode Island, a former employee in the athletic department has sued the coach, contending she was sexually harassed and that he broke NCAA rules.

As the NCAA investigates, Harrick continues to coach and Georgia is 2-1 since the allegations first surfaced, losing 74-66 last Sunday to No. 2 Kentucky.

The Bulldogs finished third in the East and will play Arkansas on Thursday in the SEC tournament, while the Gamecocks finished fifth in the East and will play Alabama on Thursday.