Dec. 20, 2004

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MOBILE, Ala. (AP) – Carlos Powell hit a layup and Tarence Kinsey made two free throws in the final minutes, leading South Carolina to a 57-53 victory over East Carolina on Monday in the first round of the Coors Classic.

Kinsey led the Gamecocks (6-2) with 13 points and Powell added 12.

Mike Cook led East Carolina with a game-high 24 points and Corey Rouse had 13 rebounds.

East Carolina (4-6) led for most of the second half, until Rocky Trice hit a pair of free throws and tied the game 49-49. Seconds later, Trice stole the Ball from Cook, allowing Powell to hit a layup with 2:56.

East Carolina cut the lead to 1 on a Corey Rouse free throw, but couldn’t get closer.

The Gamecocks finished with a 5-2 spurt, topped by Kinsey’s foul shots.

East Carolina dominated the board 45-31, but were held to 35 percent shooting.