Jan. 31, 2007

Recap |
Final Stats |
Quotes

Columbia, S.C. –

• <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Auburn leads the series 17-11 and the Tigers hold an 8-5 record in Columbia. The visiting team has won the past five meetings. USC won last season’s match-up 67-63 on March 4, 2006 in Auburn.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

• The game against Auburn was Carolina’s third in a row against a team from the SEC West. Carolina will have one more contest against a SEC West team before playing five straight games against teams from the SEC East.

• Brandon Wallace played in his 125th game in the garnet and black and is No. 2 all-time. During the game Wallace moved to No. 8 in career rebounds, passing Tony Kitchings (680), Joe Rhett (678) and Gary Gregor (678). Tre’ Kelley is played in his 124^th game and is No. 4. Carlos Powell is No. 1 with 132 games played during his career (2001-05).

• The slam dunk by Chad Gray (2:16, 1^st half) was his first field goal as a Gamecock. He matched his previous high vs. UK earlier this year with 3 points (all on free throws).

• Evka Baniulis scored in double figures for the third time this season. He has 10+ points in three of the last four games. The 21 points were also a new career high. He was the fifth player this season to hit 20+ – joining Tre’ Kelley (7), Brandon Wallace (2), Bryce Sheldon (2) and Dominique Archie (1).

• Tre’ Kelley was in double figures for the 17^th time this year and the 60^th time overall. Kelley has 4+ assists in 13 games this year, and tied a season-high with 8 assists. Brandon Wallace was in double figures for the 10^th time this season and the 27^th time during his career. Dominique Archie was in double figures for the 10^th time this season and the 8^th time in 11 games.

• Bryce Sheldon dished out a career high four assists. His previous career high was three against Detroit on December 31, 2005.

• USC’s 19 rebounds were a season-low. The previous low was 23 rebounds vs. Florida on Jan. 13, 2007. On a positive note, USC had a season-low 5 turnovers. It bests USC’s 6 turnovers vs. Princeton on Dec. 20.

• All five South Carolina starters scored in double figures. It was the second time that happened this season with the last time happening against Jacksonville on Dec. 29 (Wallace, Archie, Day, Kelley, Sheldon)

• Carolina shot 46.8% from the field which is the best for the Gamecocks since shooting 52.7% against Jacksonville on December 29, 2006.