Jan. 14, 2004

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By JOHN ZENOR
AP Sports Writer

AUBURN, Ala. – Carlos Powell’s steal and layup with 13 seconds left lifted South Carolina to a 53-51 overtime victory over Auburn Wednesday night.

Powell swiped the ball from Nathan Watson at midcourt and drove to the basket for the Gamecocks (15-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference). Kerbrell Brown batted away Lewis Monroe’s shot and Nathan Watson’s follow also missed in the final seconds.

The Tigers (10-4, 1-2) made just 16 of 63 shots and the teams combined for just five field goals after ending regulation tied at 47-all.

Powell finished with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting and had a team-high seven rebounds. Josh Gonner and Brown scored 10 points apiece as South Carolina snapped a six-game losing streak against Auburn.

South Carolina has won seven of its last eight games.

Brandon Robinson led Auburn with 12 points and 15 rebounds, tying his career high on the boards. Marco Killingsworth added 12 points and nine rebounds while Watson scored 11. Kyle Davis had five points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots.

The Gamecocks trailed 41-32 midway through the second half after missing 13 consecutive shots, then took their first lead since the opening minute with a 10-0 run.

Carlos Powell lays in the winning basket in overtime as Auburn’s Natan Watson (24) looks on, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004.

Tarence Kinsey’s putback with 52 seconds left gave South Carolina the lead again, 47-45. Watson hit two free throws with 35 seconds left and the Gamecocks couldn’t get off a good shot after that as Gonner’s desperation attempt hit the side of the backboard as time expired.

It was a game that featured the league’s two top defenses, and it showed with neither team giving up many open shots. They were a combined 7-of-40 in 3-pointers. Killingsworth, Robinson and Watson were a collective 10-of-36 shooting.

Auburn started off 5-of-22 shooting and missed its first eight 3-point attempts.

South Carolina, meanwhile, hit 50 percent in the first half and just 14 of 45 shots after that.