Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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□ INSIDE; ui/ncuuLc use baseball begins season ■ Women’s basketball vs. Tennessee, 7 p.m. with first practice, Charlie Wal- B Track and field at Clemson, today lace speaks on recruiting ■ Men’s basketball vs. Kentucky, Sat. ■ Women’s basketball at Miss. St., Mon. Friday, January 14,2000 (OC (D3!flCC0CR Page Gamecocks fall to Orange crush in OT by Jeff Romig Sports Editor No one thought that the University of South Carolina basketball team could hang with No. 7 Syracuse for 40 minutes. They did. They just weren’t able to hang for the extra five. The Gamecocks fell to the Orangemen 77-74 in overtime. The loss was a major step from the 84-37 beating Syracuse gave Carolina last January at the Carrier Dome, but a moral vic tory wasn’t what the Gamecocks were looking for. “There are no moral victories,” said Herbert Lee Davis, se nior guard. “We have to take this game and swallow it and be ready because we have a real big game Saturday against Ken tucky.” If any game should be a moral victory, this one would be in the running. The Gamecocks led virtually the entire half before the game moved into OT. O___1 *1. _ C • _ •*_ /"XT' „„ J__-70 <jy i dvuitu uk/ iu oi oiyv pumu vy i, uuu »nw uj^y / -y 65 before the Gamecocks made one final effort. With a minute left, USC began to inch back. Chuck Edson hit a jumper and Davis followed with a 3 pointer. After a Syracuse free throw, Davis hit another 3-point er to bring the Gamecocks within three. Syracuse’s Jason Hart hit just ff-of-5 at the free throw line in the waning seconds, and USC capitalized with Lucas hitting a jumper to bring the game to 76-74, but that was as close as it would get. Davis led the Gamecocks with 20 points and six rebounds, but struggled from the free throw line (4-9), as did his team (11 24). Despite his solid night, Davis was dejected concerning his play at the line. “I think it has a lot to do with being mentally strong - con centrating on the free throw line,” Davis said. “It’s been haunt iilg us throughout the year. We’ve been working hard, believe it or not, on free throws everyday in practice.” One thing that can’t be practiced or taught is experience, and the Gamecocks were overshadowed by the Orangemen in that department. , “Experience is big,” said Eddie Fogler, USC head coach. “They stepped up and made big shots. That’s part of it.” Two Gamecocks defied the experience theory Thursday night. Sophomore Aaron Lucas and Eidson, a freshman, each had huge games against Syracuse. “I commend Lucas,” Fogler said “I think he did a tremen dous job on Jason Hart, who I think is outstanding.” Lucas only scored six on the night, but had 12 assists to -go with his solid defensive work. Eidson had 16 points, four re bounds, three steals and two assists. JL.UU& I1UI LUUKi UU 111UL11 IU IlCip 111C VJcUllCCUV-I^ inside play, especially with Syracuse center Etan Thomas in the middle. Thomas had 19 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. “Down the stretch inside, we couldn’t get one over and we had a number of blocked shots,” Fogler said. “We struggled against their zone, but they’re so long and athletic, it’s tough for most teams to play against.” Despite the stature of his opponent, Fogler knows the Gamecocks could have walked out of Frank McGuire Arena with a win. “We really got great effort from our club, so I’m not dis appointed about that,” Fogler said. “I’m disappointed for them for losing because our basketball team could have won.” Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim was impressed with the young Gamecocks. “I thought we were very fortunate to get out of here with a win,” Boeheim said. “We missed some opportunities, but our defense kept us in there.” Sean Rayforo Gamecock Sports USC guard Chuck Eidson, above left, tries for two points Thursday night against Syracuse while two Orangemen defenders try to stop him. The crowd at Frank McGuire Arena, above right, packed Carolina Coliseum to see the Gamecocks take No. 6 Syracuse to overtime, but fall 77-74. USC prepares to face No. 2 Tennessee tonight by David Cloninger Sports Editor The USC Lady Gamecocks will try to pull off one of the biggest upsets in school history tonight as they take on the No. 2 Tennessee La dy Volunteers at Frank McGuire Arena. The Gamecocks, reeling from a 23-point loss at No. 5 Auburn Sunday, are trying to avoid adding to their 16-game Southeastern Conference los ing streak. USC hasn’t won a conference game since Feb. 26,1998. Tennessee, meanwhile, comes into the game with a 12-2 record, 2-0 SEC, and one of the na tion’s most explosive offenses. They also carry a hefty reputation, being the defending SEC reg ular-season champions, having 18 straight NCAA tournament appearances, six national titles, in cluding three consecutive titles from 1996-98 and one of the most popular coaches in the na tion, Pat Summitt. USC head coach Susan Walvius isn’t worried about her team playing the Lady Vols’ reputation, though, she’s concerned about the actual team and the aggressive style of basketball they bring to Columbia Friday. "Every game v -3 face, from here on out, we have to deal with that tradition of success, whether it be Auburn, Georgia or whoever,” Wilvius said. “Tennessee is just another one of those teams.” The Vols are led by sophomore Tamika Cach ings, a forward averaging around 16 points and seven rebounds per game. The Texas native has already brought in several All-America and All SEC awards, and is being compared to graduated forward Chamique Holdsclaw, one of the most recognized athletes in Tennessee history. Backing up Cachings is Semeka Randall, a sophomore guard who averages 14 points and five rebounds per game. Randall was named to the SEC all-freshman team last season and is the sec ond-leading scorer on the team. USC will be led by guard Shaun Gortman, who scores 15.1 points per game and is one of the quickest players in the SEC. She has 40 steals so far this season, and is expected to help slow down Tennessee’s fast-paced offense. “I’m going to do my best, and get the ball up the floor,” Gortman said after Wednesday’s prac tice. “There’s no doubt I can get it upthe floor, but we all have to work hard and get our of fense going.” Gortman was held in check at Auburn, scoring five points while committing ten turnovers. However, Walvius has complete confidence in her young guard’s abilities on the court. “The turnovers weren’t any indication of Shaun’s ability,” Walvius said. “It was just a young player making mistakes.” ntJipillg uui vjunmau win uc acmui /Alllllti Lester, a second-team All-SEC performer for the past two years who is averaging 12 points per game. Lester is hoping to bring senior leadership to the floor when her teammates need it. “I think I’m going to have to be more vocal,” Lester said. “That’s something I really want to do-lead by action.” USC also has a potent offensive weapon in center Petra Ujhelyi. The 6-foot-4 freshman has been playing well in recent games, and accord ing to Walvius, the best is yet to come. “Petra is a great player, but she has still not played her greatest basketball,” Walvius said “She is still adjusting to American basketball and learn ing, but is one of the best post players in the coun try.” Although the Gamecocks are formidable un derdogs coming into the matchup, Waivius feels her team will be ready for the Lady Vols and is n’t particularly worried. “If you take this team and put it into any oth er conference in the nation, the ACC, the Big East, they will be one of the best teams there,” Waivius said. “In the SEC, every opponent is ranked, and we’re always underdogs. We’re a re building program, and in this conference, a .500 record will make the NCAA Tournament.” The game is scheduled to tipoff at 7 p.m. Ad mission is free to all students, who are encour aged to attend. Probable Starters TT pnnpwpp 00 Michelle Snow C 12.6 20 Kara Lawson F 14.6 21 Semeka Randall G 14.6 24 Tamika Catchings F 15.4 33 Ace Clement G 7.9 South Carolina 00 Petra Ujhelyi C 5.9 32 Shaun Gortman G 15.1 34 Shannon Segres G 7.4 44 Annie Lester F 12.0 45 Jocelyn Penn F 13.4 Frank McGuire Arena, Columbia Tipoff: 7 p.m. Tickets: Still available TV: None Radio: WVOC 560-AM Columbia m Sean Rayford Gamecock Sports USC’s Petra Ujhelyi battles for a rebound earlier this season against Russia. The Lady Gamecocks play No. 2 Tennessee tonight at 7 p.m.