Jan. 14, 2017

Final Stats | USATSI Gallery

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina (14-3, 4-0 SEC) remained unbeaten in SEC play with a 67-56 win over Ole Miss (10-7, 1-4 SEC) at Colonial Life Arena Saturday night. Four Gamecocks were in double-figures, led by sophomore Chris Silva, who recorded his second career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes.

Carolina jumped out to a 6-0 lead thanks to six early points from sophomore PJ Dozier. The Gamecocks led 6-2 at the first media timeout with 15:56 on the clock. Freshman Maik Kotsar was efficient on the glass, pulling down three offensive rebounds early on. A 3-pointer by Cullen Neal brought the Rebels within three, 10-7, at the next media timeout with 11:31 left. Each team had shooting woes early, as Carolina started 2-for-16 (13 percent) and Ole Miss 2-for-9 (22 percent).

Rasheed Brooks brought the rebels within three again, 16-13, after a made 3 with 8:34 to go. The Gamecocks pushed the lead to six, 19-13, after Dozier scored his 10th point with 7:51 on the clock. The Columbia, S.C., native, started the game 4-of-7 from the field.

The Carolina defense was locked in to end the first half, as they held Ole Miss scoreless for the final 4:06. The Gamecocks went on a 9-0 run and took a comfortable 14-point lead, 34-20, at the break.

Dozier led all scorers with 15 (4-for-8) at halftime. Silva nearly had a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds. Carolina forced 18 turnovers in the first half and held a 24-16 edge in the rebound column, including 10 boards on the offensive end.

The Gamecocks kept the foot on the pedal to start the second half as they started 3-for-3 from the field. Senior Duane Notice hit a 3 from the corner to put Carolina ahead 20, 41-21, for the first time in the game with 18:16 to go.

The lead remained steady in double-digits, as jt was 46-28 with 11 minutes to go. The Gamecocks defense was stifling, holding Ole Miss to 3-of-17 shooting to start the second half.

Freshman Rakym Felder hit a deep 3 from the right wing to make it 56-33 with 9:23 on the clock. He then hit another 3 two possessions later to give Carolina its biggest lead of the game, 61-36 with 8:02 left in the ballgame. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native, had a stretch of nine-straight points for the Gamecocks through the middle portion of the half.

Ole Miss was able to connect on a few late shots, but the Gamecocks closed the 67-56 conference victory. Dozier finished tied with Silva for a game-high 16 points. Felder had 12, while Sindarius Thornwell posted 10 points and eight rebounds.

KEY STATS

The Gamecocks forced 21 turnovers and out-rebounded the Rebels 42-32.

NOTABLE

• South Carolina is 4-0 to in league play for just the second time in school history.
• The Gamecocks are 10-1 at home this season and have won 26 of their last 30 at Colonial Life Arena.
• South Carolina has held seven opponents to 60 points or less this season.
• Carolina has now forced 84 turnovers (21.0 per game) in its four SEC games.
• Sophomore Chris Silva had a new-career high tonight with his 16 points.
• The Gamecocks have had 40 steals so far in SEC play. They had 10 takeaways tonight.

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks return home to host Ole Miss on Saturday at Colonial Life Arena. It’s the first of two-straight home games for Carolina. Tip time vs. the Rebels is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU with Kevin Fitzgerald (pxp) and Chris Spatola (analyst) on the call. Jory Fleming, the South Carolina senior student who was recently awarded the prestigous Rhodes Scholarship, will serve as honorary captain for the game.

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