Feb. 11, 2006

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Tre Kelly scored 16 of his 22 points in the first half and led a key run before the break to lift South Carolina to an 83-61 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday.

The Gamecocks (13-10, 4-6 Southeastern Conference) outscored the Bulldogs (12-11, 2-8) 18-2 in the final 5:42 and took a 43-27 lead at halftime.

Kelley had eight points during the run, including back-to-back 3s in an 18-second span while the Bulldogs were just 1-of-11 and had four turnovers.

Mississippi State, which has lost eight of its last nine, was led by Charles Rhodes. He scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half and had eight rebounds. Jamont Gordon added 13 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

It was South Carolina coach Dave Odom’s first victory over Mississippi State in his five years with the Gamecocks, who have beaten every conference team at least once in Odom’s tenure.

It was also the most lopsided SEC win this season for South Carolina.

Kelley, who had 17 points in South Carolina’s 71-67 win at No. 7 Florida on Wednesday, hit 8-of-15 field goals, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range. He also had seven assists.

Tarence Kinsey added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Gamecocks, who made 11-of-23 from long range.

Brandon Wallace added 11 points and seven rebounds, and South Carolina outrebounded the Bulldogs 34-30. Mississippi State came into the game as the second-leading rebounding team in the SEC.

The Gamecocks, back home after three straight road games, outscored the Bulldogs 12-6 in the first 4:31 of the second half to take a 55-33 lead on Wallace’s bucket. Mississippi State never got closer than 17 after that.