Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GAMECOCK ATHLETICS Men's Basketball Tennessee Saturday, 12:30 p.m. Thompson-Boiling Arena TV: CBS; Radio: AM-560 Softball @ UNLV Tournament All Weekend 9ft am m IHnMsSH |r ' : ~ K ?iH f ^K Ht T USC gains f LARRY WILLIAMS Senior Writer The USC men's basketball team flexed its muscles Tuesday, beating SEC foe Arkansas by a convincing 7865 margin. USC dominated from the outset, extended its lead to as much as 19, then survived a - mild Scare late to give the Razorbacks their first loss ever to the Gamecocks. The win, the Gamecocks' 14th in 15 games, pushed their conference record to 12-1 ? easily the best in their fiveyear SEC history ? and their overall record to 19-6. Perhaps more importantly, the win assured USC of at least second place in the conference a first round bye in next month's SEC Tournament. In beating the Razorbacks for the first time ever? Arkansas had a 6-0 record against the Gamecocks prior to the game ? USC continued to blister the nets from the field, having notched a 51.8 shooting percentage on the game. "I'm very pleased with the win," USC coach Eddie Fogler said. "Our offense was absolutely terrific today." Junior Ryan Stack, who C '*8 CO l^jgr laarpp- ? rnKKKmlmm &* :*>:? n Si ^UBBS&m H JH K w irst-ever vict had improved his play considerably in prior contests against Cincinnati, Georgia and Florida, continued his resurgence, scoring 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting and pulling down 12 rebounds. "Stack was great here tonight," Fogler said. "He was as good as it gets, he was a large factor." Stack, who has begun to show inside determination that wasn't present early in the season, said beating Arkansas' was particularly satisfying because, after such a huge win against Cincinnati, many feared a letdown by the Gamecocks. "I think it was a big game, especially coming DacK trom Cincinnati," Stack said. "Our guys were a little tired, and I think we stepped up tonight. USC was also led by senior guard Larry Davis, who scored a team-high 17 points on 7-of13 shooting. Although USC's "Triple Threat" guard trio of Davis, Melvin Watson and BJ McKie scored a combined 44 points, it was an all-around effort that sent USC to a win in front of 12,027 and a national television audience, as every starter reached double figures scoring. bophomore William SPORTS ON MONDAY < Whd n Game i * 9 // ^H lei H -t? ^ 4 jji 5^ L'?x K fljjf; '? HI Hit mm ?. I j . 11 wBi ory over "Bac Gallman, who Fogler said was battling flu symptoms, scored 10 points, while McKie tallied 13 and Watson notched 14. After coming up big in USC's win at then-No. 8 Cincinnati Feb. 15, Stack didn't miss a beat against Arkansas. Perhaps Stack knew it was his day early on, when his first shot, a 3-pointer from the top of the key, and then another from the same spot minutes later swished through the basket and sparked a 15-3 run to give USC a 21-10 lead with 12:10 left in the first half. After that, USC never looked back. "(Stack's play) opens a lot of things up, especially with Ryan connecting on his jump shot now." McKie said. "He's feeling comfortable with what i he's doing, and it allows their i big men to come out a little bit and not help in the paint as much as far as the guards 1 penetrating and getting inside and pitching." 1 In the second half, the < Gamecocks were pressed on i nearly every possession as Razorbacks coach Nolan i Richardson tried desperately to get his squad back into the : game; however, a 9-0 run by 1 the Gamecocks after the Bee how the No. 9 softb< m lCOCE wk a k mmm PHOTOS BY BRYAN JOHN! e South Carolina J.V. Cheerle lleyball matches, women's b d various other events throug t, Zeema Kapacee (left) and id the crowd during a timeou sketball game against Aub jhl. Above, Dani Teal shows hi neout. Below, the Jayvees p eer during a break in the actii ks Tuesday Razorbacks had scored four straight to begin the second half all but put Arkansas away. Davis sparked the run when he sank a 3-pointer with 18:19 left, and a running jumper with 17:53 to give USC a 50-36 lead. When McKie drove the lane and performed ? in what used to be spectacular, but is now becoming routine ? an overunder, now-you-see-it, nowyou-don't lay-up with 11:42 left, USC had completed a 122 run to take a 57-38 lead, its largest of the game. The Razorbacks did manage to squeeze back into it, using a 10-3 run over 3:27 to cut USC's lead to 60-48 with 8:15 left. Over the next seven minutes, Arkansas matched uc>o on points, ana tnen tooK advantage of several Gamecocks turnovers to get to within nine points when guard Kareem Reid scored with 1:29 to cut the lead to 69-60. Any hopes that remained for the Razorbacks were quickly dashed six seconds later when a technical foul was called on Richardson after he disputed a foul call. After McKie made fourstraight free throws to give [JSC a 73-60 lead, Arkansas was done for. all team did in Las Vegas irrc Game again.' LARRY WILLIAMS Senit 3f Good shooting hasn' *o come by for the Gam< Thursday, the U basketball team continu* shooting and used some defense in beating tl Bulldogs 85-55. Having taken a 15-po halftime, USC used a 3 the first 10 minutes of half to put away the Bull record dropped to 12-13 * USC led by as much second half, which was on front of6,000 fans ? 1 were vocal USC fans. The win, USCs 15th i pushed the Gamecock's l 6 (12-1 SEC). It is the firs has won 20 games sine 91 season, when the ( finished 20-13. It was also Eddie Fogler's 200th c sToix The Gamecock "I think it was a experience for our tean tonight," Fogler said. Th< us feel good, but to see th< in this building, with th .den. perform .t WeU asalot?fGamec asketb.ll g.mes findin? 8 wayinto this t hout the year. At generating some exciter I Laura Bokesch team in Charleston, it it at the women's In his homecoming < urn Wednesday guard Melvin Watson, v ;r spirit during a just blocks away from erform a group Houge> scored 12 j 9n* of-6 shooting. Glad to be home, Me "It was great to be hoi said. "I had just the firsl a little bit, and Coach ji me and told me to settl< So did Fogler. "I'm happy particularl Watson, who gets a cha back to the city where h Fogler said. USC continued its h sponsoring a tournamer '***# Cyrano Challenge will be 1 : at the Sol Blatt P.E. C competition will begin al and continue until abou The entry fee for fe worth of non-perishable Local coach take STAFF REPORTS Chuck Kelly, who has spent the past three seasons as an assistant football coach for USC, has been named assistant coach at East Carolina University, according to an announcement by Pirates' head coach Steve Logan. The 40-year-old Kelly served the 1996 season as the Gamecocks' running backs coach and special teams coach. He had previously Worked with USCs offensive line for two years. "This is a great opportunity for me to be part of a tremendous offense under Coach Logan," Kelly said. "Coaching the backs last season was a rewarding experience. Duce Staley is an outstanding and great to coach, but I am looking forward to getting back to the offensive line." Kelly will coordinate ECU's efforts on the offensive line. "Chuck Kelly did a fine job for us in the three years he was on our staff," South Carolina head coach Brad Scott said. "Chuck had expressed the desire to return to coaching the offensive line and making the move to East Carolina will allow him that opportunity. Chuck is a quality coach and a quality person. I wish him a lot of success." Poi^h hlretl by Scott South Carolina has named Buddy Pough Kelly's replacement. Pough, who coached Fairfield Central High School to the 1996 3-AAA South Carolina state championship and is regarded as one of the most respected and successful coaches in the state. Pough led Fairfield Central to a 33-10 record during his three years with the school, highlighted BASKETBALL ^ SCOREBOARD SE Louisiana 68 ^ #22 C of Charleston 81 #11 Cincinnati 76 S. Florida Ftft #18 Michigan 75 Iowa 80 cocks cruise ?t Bulldogs 3r Writer against an undermanned Bulldogs club, as they connected on 34 of 65 t been hard attempts from the field for a 52.3 , percentage. ^ men s Senior Nate Wilbourne, who came stellar jnto ^ game averaging only five sunocanng po^ts per game, scored a game-high le Citadel of20 points on an almost-perfect 8of-10 shooting, int lead into " I was trying to work hard down 1-13 run in ]ow ? it was fun playing here the second tonight," Wilbourne said, dogs, whose it was a game that saw five USC players reach double figures in the as 33 in the scoring column. Senior guard Larry never close Davis scored 16 points, while lalf of which sophomore guard BJ McKie scored 10 points. n 16 games, McKie said points don't matter wnpH tn OfL A l un , -i < , .1 .. ? ? io mm. .CiVeryDoays contnouting, 3t time USC everybody's stepping up, everybody's e the 1990- playing a great all-around game," lamecocks McKie said. USC Coach The first half saw South Carolina :areer win. take a 40-28 lead into halftime-lead. very good The Gamecocks bolted to a quick l to be here 9_o lead on the heels of a strong inside ; win makes game. * excitement After Watson turned the ball over le cadets as and William Gallman was blocked ocks faithful on USCs first and second possessions, mil ding and McKie came through with a jumper dent for our at the 18:27 mark to put USC ahead was great." 2-0. lebut,USC On the Gamecocks'next rho grew up possession, Gallman found himself McAlister wide open in the low post for a jam points on 4- that put USC up 4-0. Wilbourne scored and was fouled slvin? as the 16:10 mark, and his free throw ne," Watson gave the Gamecocks a 9-0 lead, t-half jitters The Citadel answered, however, ust came to managing their first score at the j down. 15:56 mark and then a 3-pointer a minute later, y for Melvin After trading baskets for a few nee to come minutes the Bulldogs made a run to ie grew up," get within 4 at 17-13. ot shooting USC page 8 ,ln lrv 4-/-v "L-* /-v pi4 i /-vwt IUJJ tu IIUSI luuniey All the competitors will receive an r> i ? u ; award at the tournament, g uiubis It to benefit Fencers from all over South Bank The Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia held Sunday ^ ** participating, enter. The This tournament will pit 110:30 a.m. individuals of both sexes against one t3p.m. another with no advantage or ncers is $5 handicapping given to either foods or $7. competitor. s Gamecock spot by the perfect 15-0 record last season en route to the state championship, earning him 1996 Coach of the Year honors. During his seven years as head coach in the state's high school ranks, he led his teams to seven consecutive state playoff appearances. Pough coached at Columbia's Keenan High School from 1990 to 1993, where he was the state's two-time Coach of the Year. Pough took over the coaching reins at Fairfield Central in 1994 and led his team to a 10-win season. The year prior to his arrival, the Griffins won just one game. In just three seasons at Fairfield Central, he is credited with completely turning that program around. The great amount of respect Pough carries throughout the state's coaching ranks and community caught the attention of Coach Scott. "We are extremely excited about the addition of coach Buddy Pough to our staff," Scott said. "He has established himself as a true champion in our profession, both on and off the field. He is regarded as one of the premier coaches in the state of South Carolina by his peers. "I believe he will have an extremely positive impact upon our program." Pough he couldn't waiLtoLecome pari of the Gamecock program. "I am really excited about this opportunity," Pough said. "I believe the fact that Coach Scott had the faith and confidence in me speaks highly of the caliber of high school football in the state of South Carolina. Great things are happening at Carolina and I look forward to getting on board."