USC hit Georgia with a great wall of defense in the first half Wednesday night in Athens and never let the Bulldogs in the game as the Gamecocks posted an impressive 75-59 victory. The Gamecocks never trailed as they won for the seventh time in nine games. They are now 7-4 in the SEC and 15-9 overall. They will have no worse than a share of fourth place in the SEC after Wednesday night’s games. The Gamecocks have won seven straight over Georgia and four in a row in Athens.

Inside the Gamecock victory

• The Gamecocks built a quick 13-2 lead holding the Bulldogs without a field goal for the first seven minutes.
• The first half lead grew to 27-5 before Georgia showed some offensive life. The Gamecocks led 38-20 at the half. Georgia shot 24% for the half including 0-11 from three.
• USC built their lead to 23 in the second half after a three point play by Jermaine Couisnard.
• Twice the Bulldogs put together mini-runs but the Gamecocks answered each time. The lead was down to 14 when Couisnard hit a three and AJ Lawson a pair of free throws for a 60-41 lead. A three point play for Georgia again gave the Bulldogs a boost only to see Couisnard hit a second three and Maik Kotsar follow with a basket for a 65-44 lead with 9:14 to play. Georgia would get no closer than 19 the rest of the way.
• USC dominated in all the key stats, in particular 25 points off 19 Georgia turnovers. The Bulldogs had 4 points off 12 Gamecock turnovers. The Gamecocks had 14 offensive rebounds they converted to 13 second chance points. And they outscored Georgia in the paint 40-22.
• Lawson led the Gamecocks with 20 points. Couisnard added 14. Georgia star freshman Anthony Edwards struggled for 16 points. He was 0-7 from three and is 0-13 on three pointers in his last two games. Georgia finished 3-24 from deep.
• USC returns home Saturday night to face Tennessee.
• Final Stats

Frank Martin postgame press conference

Jermaine Couisnard and AJ Lawson talk with the media