USC trailed Georgia 42-36 at the half Saturday at the Colonial Life Arena, but behind the scoring of Keyshawn Bryant, Jermaine Couisnard and Erik Stevenson, the Gamecocks flipped the script in the second half outscoring the Bulldogs 47-24 in an 83-66 victory that snapped a three-game losing streak. It’s the Gamecocks 11th straight win over the Bulldogs, and they improve to 11-7 overall and 2-4 in the SEC.
The Gamecocks used a 24-0 run from the 10:39 mark of the second half to 3:50 to turn a seven-point deficit into a 17-point lead at 77-60. Bryant, Couisnard and Stevenson combined for all 24-points with a variety of three-pointers, layups and free throws. The trio scored 39 of the Gamecocks 47 second half points.
Poor defense and fouling plagued the Gamecocks in the first half. They were whistled for 13 fouls that led to 22 Georgia free throws. The Dogs made 21. The Bulldogs were 4-8 from the line in the second half.
Stevenson led the Gamecocks with 20 points. Bryant scored 19 points and Couisnard added 15. The Gamecocks shot 45% and hit eight three-pointers. They also scored 29 points on fastbreak opportunities. The Gamecocks forced 18 turnovers they converted into 16 points. And they knocked down 21-26 at the line.
USC will be back at home Wednesday night to face Vanderbilt.
Final Box
Frank Martin postgame press conference
Jermaine Couisnard and Keyshawn Bryant postgame press conference
