Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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USC Schedule ■ Women’s basketball at Clemson, 7:30 p.m. ■ Men’s basketball vs. Charleston Southern, Tuesday UPlt (BfafflCCOCk Monday, November 29,1999 USC hoops provides glimpse into future Sean Rayford photo editor Forward Antonio Grant slams a score against The Citadel last week. USC went 1-2 in the Puerto Rico Shootout over the weekend. Men upset Virginia, scare No. 2 Spartans Men’s Basketball , - Roundup Gamecock Sports Although Eddie Fogler’s young Game cock squad went 1-2 during the Puerto Rico Shootout last weekend, USC fans were treated to three surprising perfor mances by the team, perhaps giving them hope for the approaching season. Playing perennial Atlantic Coast Con ference contender Vnginia, No. 2 Michi gan State and No. 19 DePaul in three days might have seemed a daunting task for the Gamecocks. But the team managed to put on an impressive show by spreading the scoring evenly among its players, while their opponents typically had one main playmaker and several small contributors. USC 73, Vnginia 71 Friday’s matchup pitted USC against the Vnginia Cavaliers, a team that finished near the bottom in ACC play last year but had an impressive showing be hind rookie coach Pete Gillen. The Cavs started hot, making six of 13 3-point shots in the first half to jump to a 28-15 lead. However, USC juniors Antonio Grant and David Ross helped get their team start ed from behind the stripe, as they con verted their next three shots, cutting the lead to 32-28. Vnginia managed to go into the lock er room with a 36-33 lead at halftime, thanks to center Colin Ducharme scor ing six of his eight first-half points in the final five minutes. After a scorching first half from the 3-point line, Vuginia intended to keep the pressure on the Gamecocks by using a trapping defense and staying hot from long range. USC, meanwhile, started to dom inate on the inside, posting a 21-3 run at the outset of the second half. Gamecock big men Marius Petravi cius and Tony Kitchings combined for 11 points during the run, helped by four points from Grant on his way to a game-high 13. After Duchamie fouled out with three minutes left, USC withstood a late rally from Virginia to win, 73-71. The Game cocks began 3-0 for the second time in three seasons, and they exacted revenge for the 1996-’97 Gamecocks, who lost their season opener to Virginia, 93-70. Michigan State 59, USC 56 USC faced the Spartans of Michigan State Saturday with a surprising advan tage. The Spartans didn’t expect USC to make it past Vnginia, so they had a lim ited scouting report on the Gamecocks. Also, MSU star Mateen Cleaves is out until January with a stress fracture on his right foot. USC started out by committing six turnovers in eight possessions, but calmed down enough to play catch-up ball with the Spartans, who had taken a 14-point lead. State guard Morris Peterson was his team’s driving force, making the crucial Men SEE PAGE 11 Women off to 3-0 start, face Clemson tonight Women’s Basketball Roundup Gamecock Sports USC 73, Florida A&M 51 The Lady Gamecocks used a strong showing in the second half against Florida A&M to dispose of the Ratlerettes, 73-51. The game was tied at 29 at halftime, but USC pulled away on a 19-4 run in the second half led by Shaunzinski Gortman. Gortman, who had a career-high 23 points, scored 19 of them in-the second half. USC coach Susan Walvius was very pleased with Gortman’s performance. “We believe in Shaun Gortman and she was definitely the key in the second half,” Walvius said. “She is the catalyst for our team on offense and defense.” Gortman and the Lady Gamecocks used an intense defense to stifle the Rat tlerettes. Carolina forced 27 turnovers throughout the contest. These turnovers led to more than one-third of USC’s points, including a steal by Gortman that gave USC a 21-point lead with just more than seven minutes remaining in the game. Without these transition points off turnovers, USC’s victory might not have been as impressive. Carolina only shot 39 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the 3-point line. Walvius played all 12 players on her roster in the game, and 10 of them scored. The leading scorer for Florida A&M was Glenda Lee, who load nine points and three assists. USC 95, Indiana 79 The Lady Gamecocks improved to 3-0 with a 95-79 road win over Indiana last Wednesday. Five USC players scored in double figures, with senior Annie Lester (21 points) leading the way. Also, Jocelyn Penn had 18 points, Gortman had 17, Shanta Jeffcoat chipped in with 12 and Shannon Segres scored 11. “I feel very fortunate to leave here with a win tonight,” Walvius said. “Even with only a minute to play, I still didn’t feel comfortable.” Unlike in its first two games, USC jumped out to an early lead against the Hoosiers, stretching its lead to as many as 13 midway through the first half. At the 10-minute mark, Indiana began cut ting into the Lady Gamecocks’ lead and briefly took the lead with five minutes to play in the half. It was then that South Carolina used its pressure defense to break away with a 14-6 run and take a 42-35 lead in to the locker room at the half. In the second half, the Lady Game cocks pushed the lead to as many as 19 points behind the play of Lester and Jef fcoat. “Annie Lester plaved a meat game for us tonight and came on strong in the second half,” Walvius said. “Shaun Gort man also played well tonight. She is the key for us.” The Lady Gamecocks shot a season high 50.8 percent from the field and 50 Women see page ii * ski- iB^ ^B BH ^B I BB I E ^ ^R BadMBB Rf The Big Book Buy THAT BEATS THE GUARANTEE! Sell back $75.00 in textbooks and receive a FREE gift! (while supplies last) 20% off Mom & Dad Merchandise Purchase some early holiday gifts this week! The Official Bookstore of USC 1400 Greene St. • Russell House * (803) 777-4160 * Where your purchases benefit both you and the scholarship programs of USC.