Feb. 14, 2009

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) – Mike Holmes’s tip-in at the buzzer lifted South Carolina to a 75-73 win over Alabama on Saturday.

With time running out in a game that was tied at 73-73 for more than two minutes, South Carolina’s Dominique Archie missed a tip-in attempt before Holmes tipped it in for the win as time expired.

Downey led South Carolina (18-5, 7-3 Southeastern Conference) with 18 points, Archie had 15, Brandis Raley-Ross 13 and Holmes 12.

Except for the game-winning basket, all of Holmes’ points came in the first half.

Alabama (13-11, 3-7) was led by Alonzo Gee with 18 points, Senario Hillman added 17 and Mikhail Torrance 12.

Trailing 41-31 at halftime, South Carolina scored the first nine points of the second half to pull within 41-40. The Gamecocks tied the contest, 55-55, with 10:40 left, and the game stayed close the rest of the way.