Final Stats

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Western Carolina men's basketball team led for most of the first half Monday night at SEC foe South Carolina but a 19-0 run by the Gamecocks late in the period gave the hosts the lead which they would never relinquish. Senior Rhett Harrelson scored a season-high 14 points including hitting four from 3-point range.

Senior Mike Brown was the only other Catamount in double-figures with 10 points while leading the team with seven rebounds. Senior Torrion Brummitt added seven points and six rebounds while four others added five points each.

The Catamounts shot just 28.4 percent from the field in the game including 27.8 percent in the second half. The Gamecocks connected on 41.3 percent of their shots while holding a 51-36 advantage in rebounds.

The Catamounts led for most of the first half until a 19-0 run by the Gamecocks erased a five-point lead by WCU and opened up a double-digit advantage for the hosts. A 3-pointer by Deriece Parks ended the Gamecock run with 1:51 left in the half. Brown hit a pair of free throws and Harrelson hit a three in the final two minutes but a Gamecock 3-pointer with four seconds left gave USC a 37-28 lead at the break.

The Gamecocks quickly jumped out to a 12-point lead in the second half and they would hold a double-digit lead the rest of the way. The lead would balloon to as many as 28 with five minutes to play but WCU was able to cut it down to 23 at the buzzer, 76-53.

The loss drops WCU's record to 2-4 on the season while the Gamecocks improved to 7-0.

USC had three players score in double-figures including Mindaugas Kacinas who poured in a game-high 20 points along with 11 rebounds.

The Catamounts will return home Thursday night to face Warren Wilson. The game will tip-off at 7 pm and will be "Star Wars" Night inside the Ramsey Center. There will be a costume contest where the best dressed will receive two passes to Quin Theater to see the new Star Wars movie.