Jan. 10, 2009

Recap | Final Stats | Notes

South Carolina Head Coach Darrin Horn
Opening Statement…
Everyone knows league play is tough, we knew it would be tough coming in. I don’t think it was real pretty, but we were really pleased to get our first win in league play, especially at home. Right off the bat I need to say we had a tremendous crowd tonight. That’s the kind of atmosphere that can lead to us having some great nights. I really appreciate the fans coming out to support us. We had a lot of different guys step up. Obviously, I think the key was that we didn’t do a great job in the first half taking away their easy baskets. In the second half, we did a better job of that and got some buckets off of turnovers. We weren’t real pretty closing it out. We need to get a bit better at that.

On the keys to the run…
We thought transition was going to be the biggest key and they got way too many easy baskets. The second one is rebounding. They got way too many look backs in the first half. In the second half they had to work harder to get their shots off. We took away the easy baskets for them. We got a couple baskets and got that lead. It started with the defense.

On Devan Downey…
I thought he was the difference in the game in the second half. Defensively, he was phenomenal. He led our team and played with great toughness. The thing about Devan (Downey) is he’s such a winner and he’s so tough. In the second half I thought he settled down and ran our team, took care of the basketball under a lot of pressure. He really did a lot of good things for our team. I think more important is the fact that he had nine points, but our team won and really that’s what we’re here for.

South Carolina Player Quotes
Senior Guard Zam Fredrick
On his play…
I am just taking it a day at a time. I am enjoying it right now. It’s my last season, I am trying to go out and do whatever I need to do and take all the necessary steps to give my team what it needs in order for us to win.

I just had opportunities. I had open opportunities. I saw driving lanes and kept attacking. Fortunately, they were falling tonight. I just thank God for the gifts he gave me and the mind to take advantage of the opportunities I do get.

Junior Guard Devan Downey
On his play versus Auburn…
I think tonight it shows, that when you look at me, I might not have a good offensive game, but I’ve got teammates who will pick up the slack.

On the crowd in Colonial Life Arena…
Hats off to the fans. I think that in the first half, they had a lot to do with that run we made, feeding off the energy of the crowd. When you have the crowd behind you, you can do some amazing things.