Tennessee holds off South Carolina in 69-57 win

By Beth Rucker

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Feb. 8 2012 8:25 p.m. MST

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Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin looks on as his team takes on South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.

Knoxville News Sentinel, Adam Brimer, Associated Press

Summary

Skylar McBee scored a career-high 18 points to lead Tennessee to a 69-57 win against South Carolina on Wednesday night.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Skylar McBee scored a career-high 18 points to lead Tennessee to a 69-57 win against South Carolina on Wednesday night.

McBee, in his second career start, hit 4 of 7 from 3-point range and sank all six of his free throws.

His second trey of the game gave the Volunteers (12-12, 4-5 Southeastern Conference) the ultimate lead with 2:01 left in a first half that featured six ties and six lead changes. The basket launched an 8-0 run to close out the half, and Tennessee led 35-27 at the break.

The Vols led 51-36 with 12:40 left, but South Carolina went on an 8-0 run of its own. The Gamecocks (9-14, 1-8) pulled within 58-55 on a three-point play by Bruce Ellington with 4:07 left, but it was as close as they would get.

Tennessee outshot South Carolina 50 percent to 33.9 percent

Ellington led South Carolina with 12 points.

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