Dec. 28, 2006

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Dominique Archie scored 16 points and had eight rebounds to lead South Carolina to a 71-51 win over North Carolina-Asheville on Thursday night.

The Gamecocks (8-2) turned the ball over on their first possession, then made eight straight shots, including three 3-pointers, to take a 19-4 lead.

The Bulldogs (4-9) would cut the lead under 10 just one more time at 30-22 with 5:17 to go in the first half. But South Carolina made its final five shots of the half to take a 42-24 lead at the break.

The lead grew to as many as 33 points before Asheville cut the deficit to 20 at the buzzer.

South Carolina shot 47.5 percent (29-of-61) from the field and made nine of its 27 3-pointers, while the Bulldogs shot 32.3 percent (21-of-65) from the field and made just two of 18 from behind the arc.

Tre Kelley had 14 points and eight assists, while Brandon Wallace added 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Gamecocks.

K.J. Garland and Bryan Smithson led Asheville with seven points apiece.