Dec 17, 2003

Box Score?|? Quotes?|? Notes

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Carlos Powell scored 10 of his 16 points to spark a 17-0 first-half run as South Carolina ran its record to 12-0 against non-conference teams in the Colonial Center with a 71-36 victory over Charleston Southern on Wednesday night.

Powell scored on two three-point plays during the outburst as the Gamecocks (9-1) raced to a 33-14 lead with 1:32 left in the half. Kerbrell Brown also scored on a three-point play while Michael Boynton canned a 3-pointer during the run.

Charleston Southern (2-5) missed five shots and had five of its 15 first-half turnovers as the Gamecocks took command.

The Gamecocks scored the first seven points of the second half en route to the lopsided victory. It was the fewest points by a South Carolina opponent since January 1971, when Maryland beat the Gamecocks 31-30 in overtime.

Boynton had 14 points and Renaldo Balkman added 12 and nine rebounds in his first collegiate start.

Kurtis Rice led the Buccaneers with nine points, while Trent Drafts and Nathan Ball each scored six.

South Carolina was without three players, including two starters – Tarence Kinsey and Josh Gonner. Kinsey sat out after suffering a mild concussion in Monday night’s 71-61 loss at Temple while Gonner was suspended by coach Dave Odom for violation of team rules.

Also, backup guard Jarod Gerald didn’t play, having been declared academically ineligible. Gerald has withdrawn from school.

South Carolina’s non-conference winning streak at its 2-year-old arena will face its sternest test Saturday when North Carolina State comes to Columbia.