March 11, 2010

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -Mikhail Torrance’s 9-foot jumper broke a tie at 62 with 57 seconds left, and Alabama rallied from an 18-point deficit in the second half to beat South Carolina 68-63 Thursday in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

Alabama (17-14) won a third straight game against an SEC opponent for the first time this season and beat the Gamecocks (15-16) for the second time in eight days after ruining South Carolina’s Senior Night last week.

The Tide will play No. 2 Kentucky in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Torrance finished with 17 points, Justin Knox had 16 and JaMychal Green added 10 for Alabama coming off the bench.

Devan Downey led South Carolina with 21 points. Ramon Galloway had 14 and Sam Muldrow 13.