COLUMBIA, SC—Lakeem Jackson and Brain Richardson tossed in 17 each to power SEC foe South Carolina to a 91-56 victory over South Carolina State Tuesday in non-conference action at the Colonial Life Arena.

        The loss was the fifth in a row for the Bulldogs, who dropped to 4-9 on the season before entering conference play this weekend against Maryland Eastern Shore.

        Guard Darnell Porter had 16 points and five rebounds to lead SC State in the loss. JUCO transfer      Presano Bell grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and scored eight points.

        “Before the game, we were concerned about the speed, athleticism and length which proved to be true,” said SC State coach Tim Carter. “We couldn't get anything deep on the block and they hit big shots when needed.”

        South Carolina would the battle behind the arch shooting 15 of 22 and 58.3% from behind the 3-point line. Meanwhile, SC State managed 2 of 11 and shot 20% on the night.

T       he Gamecocks jumped out quick to a 14 point lead, 34-20 off a layup by freshman point guard Bruce Ellington at the 3:44 mark. A 3-pointer by Ellington pushed the lead to 20, 40-20 with 2:20 left in the first-half. Freshman guard Eric Smith tossed in a pair of free-throws to close out the first-half in give South Carolina 44-22 advantage at the half.

       Lakeem Jackson and Bruce Ellington led all scorers with 12 points during the first-half.

       The second-half was all South Carolina jumping out  to a 34 point lead, 79-45 on a 3-pointer by Brain Richardson at the 7:42 mark. Richardson was 5 of 8 behind the 3-point line in the contest. SC State fell behind as many as 38 before dropping a tough 91-56 decision to South Carolina.

        South Carolina, despite having 16 turnovers won the defensive battle with 15 blocks as a team.       Senior Sam Muldrow finished with a double-double 15 points and 11 rebounds, while freshman guard Bruce Ellington chipped in 13.

        The Bulldogs will open up Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play this weekend as they host Maryland Eastern Shore in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. The men will tip-off at 4 p.m. following the women's contest.
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