Hot-shooting Erik Stevenson poured in 25 points as host South Carolina earned an 85-74 win Tuesday night over in-state foe Wofford in Columbia, S.C.
Stevenson made 9 of 14 shots -- 5 of 7 three-pointers -- and added a team-high six rebounds.
The Gamecocks (4-1) got 15 points from James Reese V and 14 from Jermaine Couisnard.
In improving to 45-20 all-time against Wofford, South Carolina shot 60 percent from the field and 55 percent from distance (12 of 22).
Keyshawn Bryant - the team's top returning scorer and rebounder - served the final game of his five-game suspension to start the season.
The Terriers (4-2), whose other loss was to Clemson, were led by Max Klesmit. He scored a game-high 27 points on 8-for-10 shooting (5-for-7 on 3s and 6-for-6 from the line).
Isaiah Bigelow had 13 points and seven rebounds. Morgan Safford scored 11 and Ryan Larson registered 10 points and six assists.
After five minutes of play, the visitors led 9-7 after Austin Patterson made his second free throw. Bigelow's trey put Wofford ahead 21-14 at 12:27 following a 9-3 run.
The Gamecocks got back into it behind the shooting of Stevenson, who hit his first six field goals, including 3-for-4 from long range, and had 15 points in the game's first 10½ minutes.
The tight first half ended with Stevenson nailing a 3-pointer to round out his 18-point half and leaving the Gamecocks up 42-38.
South Carolina shot 57 percent from the field and made 6 of 11 from distance, while Wofford shot 41 percent - just 6-of-17 from long range - but made 8 of 12 free throws.
Three lengthy runs made up most of the early portion of the second half.
The Gamecocks' 11-0 stretch gave them a 50-38 lead early in the second, but the Terriers answered with a 12-0 run to tie the game at 50.
South Carolina regained its lead by running off 10 straight for a 60-50 advantage, and gradually pulled away to a 14-point lead -- 74-60 with just over five minutes remaining.
--Field Level Media
Wofford | South Carolina | |
Max Klesmit 27 | Scoring | Erik Stevenson 25 |
Ryan Larson 6 | Assists | James Reese V 4 |
Isaiah Bigelow 7 | Rebounds | Erik Stevenson 6 |
Max Klesmit 6 | Free Throws Made | Devin Carter 2 |
Max Klesmit 4 | Steals | Erik Stevenson 2 |
N/A | Blocks | Devin Carter 1 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Wofford | 74 | 38.6 | 12-35 | 18-23 | 14 | 19 | 0 | 10 | 14 |
South Carolina | 85 | 59.6 | 12-22 | 11-15 | 18 | 28 | 4 | 5 | 17 |