USC-Valparaiso Game Blog - Tue. 3/9

posted by Scott Hood, 3/09/2010 05:55:00 PM

6:00 - We're live from Carolina Stadium for tonight' USC-Valparaiso for Game 1 of a two-game set. Game 2 is scheduled for Wed. at 7 p.m. Nolan Belcher (1-0, 0.00 ERA in 7.0 IP) is scheduled to make his second start of the season tonight with a spot in the weekend rotation on the line. He will be opposed by Bryce Shafer, who is 1-0 with a 2.95 ERA. He is Valpo's No.1 starter. We should have USC's starting lineup pretty soon.

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USC-Clemson Game 3 Blog

posted by Scott Hood, 3/07/2010 12:46:00 PM

1:25 - Count on Ray Tanner to spring a couple of surprises with the lineup. Here is today's starting lineup:

Merrifield - 3B (.351)
Bradley Jr. - CF (.615)
Jones - DH (.318)
Enders - 2 (.448)
Ebert - 1B (.143)
Matthews - RF (.259)
Beary - LF (.310)
Morales - 2B (.333)
Wingo - SS (.375)

P - Tyler Webb (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 8.2 IP, 7 hits, 9 K, 1 BB, .226 OBA)

Christian Walker and Bobby Haney, the starting left side of the infield essentially, has been benched for today's game. However, I expect Walker will be used at some point today either as a PH or position player.

Clemson's Batting Order:
Epps - 8
Freeman - 4
Schaus - 7
Parker - 9
Boyd - DH
Shaffer - 3
Miller - 6
Nester - 2
Stolz - 5

P - Scott Weismann (1-0, 2.89 ERA. 9.1 IP, 11 hits, 10 K, 1 BB, .289 OBA)

12:30 - We're live from Carolina Stadium for Sunday's Game 3 between USC and Clemson at Carolina Stadium. First pitch at 2 p.m. The weather is beautiful. Partly sunny skies right now with temps in the high 60's forecasted. USC is taking batting practice right now. This should be another close, hard fought affair between the Gamecocks and Tigers. 4-3 and 7-5 have been the final scores of ther first two games. Both games have been decided in the late innings. Fr. LHP Tyler Webb will make his second career start for USC today. He is scheduled to be opposed by Scott Weismann, a RHP from Massachusetts. The crowd should be filing in shortly. USC has finished BP with Clemson ready to take the field. We should have the lineups within 30 to 45 minutes.

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USC-Clemson Game 2 Blog - Sat. March 6

posted by Scott Hood, 3/06/2010 12:10:00 PM

5:45 - USC wins 7-5. Rubber game of the 3-game series is Sunday at 2 p.m. Tyler Webb is SP for USC.

5:25 - In the top of the 9th, Morales led off with a 5-3 groundout. Wingo walked. Marzilli F-8. That brought up Merrifield, who delivered a 2-out RBI single in 7th to tie the score ar 4-4. He drives a pitch into RCF! Wingo scores!! It's 5-4 USC. Jackie Bradley Jr. up. He singles to RF! Here comes Merrifield. It's 6-4 USC! Role reversal from last night. This time it's USC getting the big hits.

Walker walks. Enders up. Base hit to LF! Bradley Jr. scores! It's 7-4 USC. What a 9th inning for uSC. 4-6 FC. We go to the B9 with USC leading 7-4. Pitching change for CU with 2 outs in T9.

We go to the B9 with USC leading 7-4. 4-3 groundout. PH for Clemson. Price pitchig well. Strike three looking! 2 outs in B9. 0-2 on Epps. Ball. Double off the wall. Single to RF. Run scores, It's 7-5. Here comes Roth.

4:52 - Strikeout by Price! 3 straight K's to end the B8. We head to the T9 with the score tied at 4-4. Great game here in Greenville. USC fans have had a lot to cheer about the last 4-5 innings.

4:50 - Revan gets Boyd looking. 1 out in B8. Parker at 1B. Miller up. Called strike three! 2 outs. Shaffer up. He has a double today. Here comes Calvi. Matt Price will be the new pitcher for USC. 2 outs in B8. We're tied at 4-4.

4:40 - Ebert had a 2-out INF hit in T8, but that was it. We're through 7.5 inns and the score is still tied 4-4. Parker due for Clemson. He is 0-for-3 today. Revan still pitching for USC.

4:30 - Revan sets down CU in order in B7. 16 of 18 by USC pitchers. We go to the T8 with the scored tied 4-4. Walker leads off.

4:20 - Merrifield has delivered a key 2-out, RBI single in T7. The hit scored Morales. We're tied at 4-4. Clemson has made a pitching change. Tomas Cruz is the new P for CU. Jackie Bradley Jr. is the batter. Merrifield steals 2B! Merrifield steals 3B! Go-ahead run is 90 feet away. 4-3 grounder. Middle of the 7th. WE're tied at 4-4. Another barnburner between these two teams.

4:10 - K to end the B6. We're through 6 Inn. here in Greenville with USC still trailing, 4-3. CU hasn't scored since the 2nd. USC had 2 in 3rd and one in 5th.
Morales, Beary, Haney due in T7.

4:05 - After retiring 12 of his last 13 CU batters, Dyson has reached his maximum pitch count and will be lifted in favor of Jimmy Revan here in the B6. After a tough start, Dyson settled down and pitched well over the last 4 inn. He gave USC a chance to win and that's all Tanner asks for.

3:55 - After Enders lines to right fr the first out in T6, Jack Leggett comes out and lifts Lamb. Alex Fredrick is the new pitcher for Clemson. USC trails 4-3 in T6.

3:50 - 1-out 2B to RF for CU in B5. It looks like Matthews lost the ball in the sun. Parker P-4. He's 0-for-3 today. That's a good sign for USC. 2 outs. Popup to short left. Haney grabs it but he falls over Beary. Dangeous there. He gets up. Could have been a lot worse. We go to the T6 with USC trailing 4-3.

3:40 - Walker out 1-6-3. Ball ricocheted oof the pitcher, SS grabbed it barehanded and fired to first. We go to the B5 with USC now trailing by a single run, 4-3.

3:35 - Beary HBP to open the T5. Haney tried to sacrifice. But 1-6 forceout at 2B. Wild pitch! Haney moves into scoring position. Merrifield up. He drives a pitch to RCF. Nice running catch by Epps. 2 outs. Haney to 3B. Bradley Jr. up. Good situation here for the So. from Virginia. He was clutch last time. Bloop into CF., It falls in front of Epps! RBI for Bradley, his third of the game. It's 4-3 CU. Another big hit for Bradley. here coems the CU pitching coach for a visit.

3:30 - Dyson sets down CU in order in B4. K, F-7, K. He's definitely settled down with 7 in a row retired. 3 by K. We go to the T5 with USC trailing 4-2. Beary, Haney & Merrifield due.

3:20 - USC down 1-2-3 in T4. F-9, K, 1-3. We go to the B4 with CU leading 4-2.

3:10 - Dyson sets down CU 1-2-3 on a K, F-8 to the deepest part of the ballpark and 1-3. Hopefully, Dyson has settled down here. It's 4-2 CU as we go to the T4.

3:05 - USC is finally on the board inthe T3. After a walk to Merrifield, Bradley Jr. ripped a home run over the high LF wall to cut the deficit to 4-2. First HR of the seasonby JB, Jr. That came at a good time for USC. They needed it. USC fans are loud again. 6-3 by Walker and F-8 by Enders. We go to the B3 with USC trailing, 4-2.

2:55 - Double off the wall for CU. Beary almost made a nice leaping catch for USC. Single to CF. Throw cut off by Ebert. RBI. CU leads 2-0. Walk. Dyson is struggling right now. Sac 3-4. CU has 2 runners in scoring position. Here comes Calvi for a chat with Dyson. We're back. Ump calls a balk! Run scores. It's 3-0 USC. Wild pitch! Run scores. 4-0 USC. Epps walked. He tries to steal 2B. Throws sails into CF. He goes to third. Bradley throws wildly too but the ball stays in live ball territory. Not much going right for Dyson or USC right now. Strikeout. 2 outs. Dyson needed that. Walk. Parker up. Liner to RF. Caught by Matthews. Inning is finally over. CU scores 3 tiems and now leads 4-0.

2:40 - Matthews picks up USC's first hit of the game, a 1-out single by Matthews in his first at-bat since last Sunday when he was injured at ECU. Walk to Morales. 1&2, 1 out. Beary up. 6-4-3 DP. Killer. We go to the B2 with CU leading 1-0.

2:30 - Dyson pitching for USC. USC is wearing garnet jerseys, gray pants and gray hats with garnet bills. Leadoff single to LF. Single to RF. CU has runners on the corners with 0 outs. Deep fly to CF. Caught by Bradley. Run scores. 1-0 CU. Parker 4-3. 2outs. K for third out. We go to the T2 with CU with leading 1-0.

2:10 - We're underway at Fluor field. Bradley walks on 4 pitches. 1 runner on. 1 out in T1. Walker up. Bradley CS 2-4. Tried to advance on a ball that got away from the Clemson C. Enders P-4. We go to the B1 with the score 0-0.

1:05 PM - Here is USC's starting lineup for today's Game 2 of the Clemson series. There are a few changes as to positions, plus a regular makes his return:

3B Merrifield
CF Bradley Jr.
DH Walker
C Enders
1B Enders
RF Matthews
2B Morales
LF Beary
SS Haney

P - Sam Dyson (1-0, 2.35 ERA, 7.2 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 11 K, 2 BB)

Merrifield starts at 3B for the first time this season. Matthews returns to the starting lineup since last Sunday.

Clemson's starting lineup:
Epps - 8
Freeman - 4
Schaus - 7
Parker - 9
Boyd - DH
Miller - 6
Shaffer - 3
Nester - 2
Stolz - 5

P - Will Lamb (1-0, 1.42 ERA, 6.1 IP, 5 hits, 1 run, 3 K, 1 BB)

12:45 - Here are some batting statistics for USC's top position players:

Kyle Enders - .500 (12-for-24), 0 HR, 4 RBI
Scott Wingo - .375 (6-16), 1 HR, 3 RBI
Whit Merrifield - .333 (11-33), 1 HR, 6 RBI
Robert Beary - .321 (9-28), 0 HR, 3 RBI
Jeff Jones - .318 (7-22), 3 HR, 11 RBI
Christian Walker - .314 (11-35), 2 HR, 10 RBI
Bobby Haney - .226 (7-31), 0 HR, 3 RBI)
Nick Ebert - .125 (2-16), 0 HR, 2 RBI
Jackie Bradley Jr. - .556 (5-9), 0 HR, 0 RBI.
Adrian Morles - .333 (4-12), 0 HR, 3 RBI

Clemson is taking BP right now. The crowds are forming at the gate. I guess they will let them in 1 hr. before game time.

12:20 - We're live from Fluor Field in Greenville for Game 2 of the USC-Clemson weekend series. USC, the visiting team for the second game in a row, is taking batting practice right now. If you haven't been there, the outfield is a replica of Fenway Park in Boston (believe me, I've been to the real thing about a billion times) with the Green Monster in left field. I saw lot of USC and Clemson fans outside waiting to get in. They should be opening the gates pretty soon. Sam Dyson will be the starting pitcher for USC today and he will be opposed by LHP Will Lamb. Dyson is 1-0 on the season with a 2.35 ERA in 7.2 IP. He has allowed two runs on two hits with 11 strikeouts. Opponents are batting just .080 against him. We'll see how many pitches Dyson throws today. Tanner said he could go as high as 70 or 75. We should have the starting lineups within 45 minutes. I'll post them as soon asw e get them.

Of course, USC is hoping for a better result than Friday when a pair of late runs by Clemson produced a 4-3 loss for USC. The runners who scored the tying and game-winning runs for the Tigers both reached on walks. Dyson will have to be careful about that today.

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USC-Clemson Game 1 Blog

posted by Scott Hood, 3/05/2010 05:46:00 PM

9:00 - Beary leads off the T9. He fans looking. One out. Morales up. He walks. haney up. Jones will PH. Good call by Tanner. Jones is batting .333 (7-for-21). Lefty hitter. 2-0. F-8 for 2nd out. Brison Celek will PH for Wingo. 1-1. Foul. 1-2. 2-2. Close pitch there. Strike three looking. It's over. USC loses 4-3.

8:50 - Bangs gets the final out in the B8. We go to the T9 with USC trailing 4-3.Beary, Morales, Haney due.

8:45 - Roth facing Boyd. Single into LF. Go-ahead run scores. It's 4-3 Clemson. Out come Calvi. Parker Bangs now pitching for USC. 2 outs in B8.

8:40 - Clemson has a runenr at third w/ 1 out in the B8. Walk, sacrifice and PB. Go-ahea drunis 90 feet away from home plate. Infield is in. Roth needs a big out here. Swing and miss! Strike Three! 2 outs. Here comes Parker. USC will walk him intentionally. Runners on the corners. Drama in Clemson.

8:35 - Walker 6-3 to open the T8. Enders 6-3. Clemson finally retires him. F-7 by Ebert. 1-2-3 for USC. We go to the B8 with the score tied 3-3.

8:30 - 5-3 groundout to open the B7 for CU. 12 of 13 for Cooper. Steak broken by 1-out walk in B7. First walk of the game for Cooper. 4-3 for 2nd out. Runner to 2B. Tying run in scoring position. No. 9 hitter is due. Calvi out to talk to Cooper. He sprints back to the dugout. Single to LF. Here comes the tying run. It's 3-3. Out comes Tanner. In comes Roth. He picks the runner off! Throw to 2B. he's out. We go to the T8 with the scored tied at 3-3.

8:15 - USC down 1-2-3 in the T7. We go to the B& with USC leading 3-2.

8:10 - Scott Wingo ties a school record held by many by collecting three assists in the B6. 1-2-3 for Cooper. He's rolling along now. 11 of 12 set down. We go to the T7 with USC leading 3-2.

8:05 - New CU pitcher is David Haseldon. Beary up. He sacrifices 3-4. Nice bunt. USC has 2 runners in scoring position. Line drive to right. CU RF slides to make the catch. That allows Enders to score. It's 3-2 USC in the T6. Haney F-8 for the third out. We go to the B6 with the score 3-2 USC. First lead of the game for the Gamecocks.

8:00 - Kyle Enders does it again. he led off the T6 with a double to center. He matches his career high with 2 doubles in a single game. Enders is now 12-for-23 on the season. Here comes the CU pitching coach for a visit. Walk to Ebert. Here comes Leggett. That's it for Harman. USC has runners at 1&2, 0 outs. Beary due.

7:50 - Cooper keeps rolling along here, though he did give up a harmless 2-out single by Epps in the B5. He has set down 8 of the last 9 CU batters. We go to the T6 with the score 2-2.

7:45 - CU's Casey Harman fanned the side in the T5. Only batter to reach was Bradley with an infield single. Harman overpowered Walker for the 3rd out. We go to the B5 with the score tied 2-2.

7:40 - Cooper matches Harman with a 1-2-3 in the B4. 4-3, K, L-8. We go to the T5 with the score tied at 2-2. it looks like Cooper and Harman have both settled down a bit. USC has 6 hits, Clemson 5.

7:35 - USC down quickly 1-2-3 in T4. L-4, 6-3, 3-1 (nice diving stop by CU 1B). We go to the B4 with the score tied at 2-2.

7:30 - Cooper gets out of the 3rd with no runs after a single, K, CS 2-4 and F-9. Cooper got Kyle Parker for the final out. We go to the T4 with the score tied, 2-2. Cooper has thrown 47 pitches in 3 innings.

7:20 - Infield single by Merrifield and line single to LF by Bradley gives USC a pair of base runners with 1 out in T3. Walker up. F-8 for the 2nd out. The red hot Enders is next. He rips one down the RF line! The ball scoots into the RF corner. Both Merrifield and Bradley score! It's 2-2. Ebert F-9. Huge hit by Enders. We go to the B3 with the score tied 2-2.

7:05 - Cooper allowed a two-out double to left but that was it for CU in the B2. Runner went to third on PB. Cooper fans Epps to end it. We go to the T3 with USC trailing, 2-0. Wingo, Merrifield, Bradley Jr. due.

7:00 - A 4-3 DP ends the T2. Morales was on first after singling. Haney hit a chopper to 2B. It was questionable whether the Clemson 2B tagged him, but the ump called him out and the throw to 1B was intime to get Haney. We go to the B2 with the score 2-0 CU.

6;55 - Not a good start for Cooper in the B1. Two solo homers by Epps and Schaus have given CU a 2-0 lead. Both homers came on first pitches. Cooper also gave up a double. USC will have to come from behind. It's 2-0 as we go to the T2.

6:45 - A strikeout and throwout and second (CS 2-6) leaves USC with nobody on in the T1. Walker INF single to third. Enders lines single to RF. He continues to swing a hot bat. He is now 10-for-21 on the season. USC is making Harman throw a lot of pitches here. Ebert up. 5-3. We go to the B1 with the score 0-0.

6:35 - Merrifield steps in. We're underway. First pitch at 6:34. Good crowd on hand, thoughi see a few empty seats. Merrifield draws a walk. Jackie Bradley Jr. steps in and he is making his second start of the season, and the first in the two hole.

6:20 - We're about 10 minutes away from the start of tonight's game. USC is wearing gray uniforms with script 'Carolina' across the front in garnet. Sharp look. Clemsonis wearing orange jerseys and white pants. I've seen some Gamecock fans here, but not a whole lot. Clemson has added some seats in the outfield. That's where the students are sitting.

h5:50 - We're live from renovated Doug Kingsmore Stadium for tonight's USC-Clemson baseball game. This is Game 1 of a weekend series betwen the rivals. Here is USC's starting lineup for Friday's game:

Merrifield- 9
Bradley Jr. - 8
Walker - 3
Enders - 2
Ebert - DH
Beary - 7
Morales - 5
Haney - 6
Wingo - 4

P - Blake Cooper (2-0), 3.00 ERA , 12.0 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 11 K, 4 BB, .175 OBA

Walker makes his first start of the year at first base. I think part of that is to get Morales' bat into the lineup. He is batting .300.

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79-70 Crimson Tide, final

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 09:05:00 PM

USC pressing, Bama beats it, Galloway fouls Brock up top. Miss and make, 71-66.

Downey comes up, dribbling time, drives and waits, pops, rims out. Bama ball, Torrance is fouled. Make and make, Raley-Ross for 3, no good. 73-66.

Downey loses the ball, Torrance all the way and sinks it with the foul. Game over.

Late ovations for the seniors as Horn pulls them out.

USC loses its sixth straight and seems locked into the late game of the SEC tournament. Downey scored 23 and Galloway scored 21.

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Crimson Tide win, 79-70

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 08:50:00 PM

USC pressing, Bama beats it, Galloway fouls Brock up top. Miss and make, 71-66.

Downey comes up, dribbling time, drives and waits, pops, rims out. Bama ball, Torrance is fouled. Make and make, Raley-Ross for 3, no good. 73-66.

Downey loses the ball, Torrance all the way and sinks it with the foul. Game over.

Late ovations for the seniors as Horn pulls them out.

USC loses its sixth straight and seems locked into the late game of the SEC tournament. Downey scored 23 and Galloway scored 21.

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70-66 Crimson Tide, 1:19 second

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 08:44:00 PM

USC trailing a point with 3:31 to play. Bama ball.

Torrance tries a J, no good, Knox uncontested putback, 67-64. Downey for 3, no good, Bama ball.

Mitchell drives in, hits the floor hard but is fouled. He'll have two shots.

Miss and make, 68-64 Tide.

Downey trapped, throws to Muldrow, wisely decides not to shoot, to Galloway for 3. No good, Bama ball.

Torrance to the hole, got it. 70-64 Tide.

Galloway to the hole and banks it in.

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65-64 Crimson Tide, 3:31, second

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 08:37:00 PM

Gamecocks have no answer for Alabama's versatility. Tide have dished inside all night and USC will not adjust. Besides being killed on the boards, going freezing from the field and not making free throws, that's why Alabama has the lead.

Downey is now the official steal leader. Guess they credited that jumpball to him.

Downey handling the ball, almost loses, to Galloway wing, for 3, GOT IT. 62-all.

Davis wide-open in the corner, for 3, almost an airball but grazes the rim. USC rebounds, Downey sinks but it's waved for a foul before the shot. He's got 1-and-1 -- MISS. Six straight for the team.

Bama tries inside, no good, Hines fouls Muldrow going for the board. Two shots. Make and make, 64-62 USC.

Davis wide-open and doesn't miss this one. 65-64 Tide.

Muldrow misses, Jackson can't hit the putback. Torrance to the hole and no good, Downey drives, misses, USC gets another chance. Galloway tries to razzle-dazzle, has nobody to throw to, turnover.

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62-59 Crimson Tide, 5:38, second

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 08:30:00 PM

Mitchell has one shot out of the break and makes it, 59-57 USC. Raley-Ross drives to the left, pushes one off the glass wide, Bama ball. Tide up 43-19 in rebounding.

Wide-open to Mitchell underneath, one-hand jam, this game is tied. USC cannot defend that inside pass.

Muldrow again with that ungainly hook, misses badly but is fouled. He's got two shots. Miss (fourth straight for the team) and miss. 59-all.

Brock misses a 3, USC ball. Downey winds up for 3, off the rim, Jackson in for the putback, no good. Brock running down right at Downey, loses it and Downey has it.

Raley-Ross in and Brock takes the charge. USC has missed nine of its last 10 field goals. Davis for 3, has it, Bama takes its first lead.

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59-56 Gamecocks, 7:53, second

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 08:19:00 PM

USC ball and inbounded to Galloway, who's having a great game. Wilder throws an alley-oop and GALLOWAY JAMS IT. 16 points for the young man, 55-48.

Mitchell puts back a miss, 55-50, USC ball. Wilder called for a block, 55-53, but Downey is fouled and will have two. Make and make, 57-53.

Torrance for 3, miss, after a loose ball bounced in and out of Muldrow's hands. Mitchell miss, Hines finally gets fouled after staying in the lane for five seconds, two shots. Miss and make, 57-54.

Downey tries a one-hander, no good, Muldrow has the board but can't control the tip. He's only got five points and is being manhandled inside. Bama ball.

Hillman has 1-and-1, misses the first, Jackson rebounds. Downey taking his time, Jackson jumper, no good (why was that an option?) Muldrow again misses the board, Bama down with possession.

Torrance misses a 3, Downey fires a pass from half-court looking for Muldrow. Misses the pass, rebounds and gets fouled. Misses both, USC rebound. Galloway fouled and will have a 1-and-1.

Misses the first. Good thing free throws aren't important.

Knox misses and Mitchell misses the putback. USC ball. Downey dribbling time, stop and pop fade, got it. He's got 21, 59-54.

Bama drives in and sinks it with the foul. One shot coming up.

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53-48 Gamecocks, 11:49, second

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 08:09:00 PM

Out of the timeout and Downey has 15 points. Bama inbounds, USC traps, Hines down-low pass to Hillman, blocked. Downey tries to go all the way, pushed down, no call.

Brock wide-open on the 3, gets it. 49-45 USC.

Downey answers with a 15-foot fade, 51-45. Quick pass inside to Knox, Downey reaches in and hacks him for his third foul. Two shots for Knox.

Make and miss, 51-46, but Bama rebounds. Wilder almost picks off a pass, loses it, Bama inside to Hines, bumped, no call, USC rebound.

Raley-Ross tries to drive, stripped and taken by Bama. In to Mitchell, he tries to drive, takes a tumble on the foul but gets up. Now he's going to take a minute and Hines will shoot two.

He makes both, 51-48. That's the new rule -- opposing coach gets to choose the shooter in the case.

Raley-Ross for 3, no good. Davis is wide-open under the basket, three Gamecocks collapse on him, foul. When triple-teaming, someone has to be open. Davis for two shots.

Miss and miss, 51-48 USC.

Jackson spins in and makes it, then USC gets a turnover off a trap. Muldrow bricks a jumper, Davis for 3, no good and Galloway rebounds.

Hines fouls and timeout.

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49-42 Gamecocks, 15:22, second

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 07:55:00 PM

Second half beginning and USC has the ball. Muldrow tries a one-hand, no good. Hines spins around Raley-Ross, goes for the breakaway, Raley-Ross grabs his jersey to prevent it, foul. No shot, Bama ball.

Mitchell in for a leaping one-hander, gets the roll, 39-38 Gamecocks. Muldrow tries for the shot, no good, got two shots coming up. Make and make, 41-38 USC.

Brock loses the ball on a drive, Muldrow picks it off. Downey mimicks Brock, loses the handle, Bama finds Knox wide-open for a jam, 41-40.

Downey drives, pushed out, loses the ball and Bama has it. Shot up, no good, USC ball.

Jackson out to Galloway, deep behind the arc, launches, CANNED it. Then Muldrow gets away with a foul, fast break, Galloway layup and he gets two more. 46-40 USC.

Downey again can't find it although he was fouled, Alabama throws it away. Muldrow on the block, rises for a one-handed hook, doesn't work again. Bama foul, USC retains.

Evka tries to throw to Muldrow, gets his pocket picked, Bama down and fouled. Knox shooting two, make and make, 46-42 USC.

Downey dribbles the shot down, launches a deep 3, MAKES it. Naturally.

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Halftime stats

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 07:50:00 PM

USC shooting 55.2 percent while Alabama is at 50. Hillman has 12 off the bench and Knox has 10. Tide out-rebounding USC 22-8 but has 13 turnovers.

Downey with 12 point son 5-of-8 shooting with three assists and two steals. Galloway with nine points. Lakeem Jackson 0-for-2 on free throws and is now 15-of-54 for the season. That's got to be a record.

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39-36 Gamecocks, halftime

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 07:50:00 PM

USC ball and in to Raley-Ross. He drives, won't give up, sinks it. 36-31.

Mitchell misses a 3, Hines has the board but loses it. Jackson hesitates, drives, gets it, 38-31.

Knox up and fouled, he'll have two shots. Make and make, 38-33 Gamecocks.

Bama has 13 turnovers. USC shooting nearly 62 percent.

Downey misses a 3, Muldrow rebound and fouled, he's got two shots. Make and miss, 39-33.

Brock nails a 3, 39-36. Raley-Ross tries to answer, no good. USC rebound, to Spinella, for 3, no good.

Bama down with a chance to tie. Brock winds up, misses a 3. USC down, Jackson inside, fouled and will have two. Uh-oh. Jackson misses both, the second very badly. Bama again with a chance to tie.

Tide 3, no good, Hines grabs the board but doesn't have enough time to shoot.

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39-36 Gamecocks, halftime

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 07:35:00 PM

USC ball and in to Raley-Ross. He drives, won't give up, sinks it. 36-31.

Mitchell misses a 3, Hines has the board but loses it. Jackson hesitates, drives, gets it, 38-31.

Knox up and fouled, he'll have two shots. Make and make, 38-33 Gamecocks.

Bama has 13 turnovers. USC shooting nearly 62 percent.

Downey misses a 3, Muldrow rebound and fouled, he's got two shots. Make and miss, 39-33.

Brock nails a 3, 39-36. Raley-Ross tries to answer, no good. USC rebound, to Spinella, for 3, no good.

Bama down with a chance to tie. Brock winds up, misses a 3. USC down, Jackson inside, fouled and will have two. Uh-oh. Jackson misses both, the second very badly. Bama again with a chance to tie.

Tide 3, no good, Hines grabs the board but doesn't have enough time to shoot.

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34-31 Gamecocks, 3:12, first

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 07:27:00 PM

Gamecocks up 11 and working it around, Muldrow gets picked off trying to hand to Downey. Alabama quickly down, whistle, should have been offensive foul but instead they call goaltending. Second foul on Downey as well and Hillman will get an and-1. He misses, 31-22 USC.

Jackson back to Downey at the top, boom for 3. 34-22 Gamecocks and he's got 12.

Brock with a quick rebound and coast. Downey falls down trying to defend him, then Raley-Ross misses a 3 and Brock does it again. 34-26 and USC will call a quick timeout.

Muldrow tries to dribble and gets stripped. Knox throws down a thunderous dunk, 34-28. Why Muldrow was handling the ball on the perimeter, I'll never know.

Raley-Ross down, gets stood up, tries to pass out and travels. Bama ball under its basket. Contact under, no call, Bama ball on the jump. Such a stupid rule.

Tide turn it over and Hillman is getting his wrist looked at. Jackson to Galloway in the corner, too much on the 3, no good. Brock to Torrance in the corner, lets fly, it's 34-31.

Galloway gets trapped, calls timeout in Bama's half of the court. Gamecocks having problems with Alabama's transition (no surprise) and its quick ball-handling -- that's a 9-0 run.

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31-20 Gamecocks, 7:23, first

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 07:13:00 PM

Hillman comes off the bench and sinks a 3, 18-11. He was suspended last game. Galloway tries to match it, too much, off the rim and out of bounds.

Press forces a turnover, Gamecocks ball. Spinella, Jefferson and Steed in beside Jackson and Galloway.

Spinella bouncer in to Steed, he takes two dribbles, up and in. Man, he can surprise you. 20-11.

Bama has to call a 30 when Brock falls down with the ball but retains the dribble. Bama ball again, no go. USC loads up, to Spinella for 3, no good.

Hillman dish to Mitchell, who winds up for a nasty baseline dunk. 23-15.

Galloway going to control it, Downey back in. Galloway for 3, nails it, 26-15. Six points for him.

Boy, Galloway steals one and goes all the way, sinks it with the foul. Heck of a night for the rookie. He makes the free throw, 29-15.

Hines taps in a miss and it's 29-17. Downey walking it up, going to drive, in, spin, sunk and just nothing the Tide can do about it. He's got nine and it's 31-17.

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18-8 Gamecocks, 13:14, first

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 07:05:00 PM

Tide ball out of timeout and USC sticking with the same lineup. Torrance working around, can't get a 3 from Brock, back to Torrance. Good D from Evka there. In to Hines, backs in, Downey with the strip and he's tied the school record.

Downey dishes to Wilder, from 15, GOT IT. 11-0 and the crowd going nuts. Wilder waving his arms.

Knox finally scores for the Tide and it's 11-2. Flurry of points, USC has made seven straight field goals and it's 16-6.

Downey misses a 3 to end the streak but Raley-Ross tips a loose ball to Jackson. Downey brings it up, through the lane, he's got seven and it's 18-6.

A stretch of frenetic hoops ends with a foul.

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9-0 Gamecocks, 17:39, first

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 06:57:00 PM

Maybe I'll see all of you "fans" in Nashville for the Vanderbilt game on Saturday. And for all of those who did show up tonight, well done. You know what you've got.

Here we go ...

Guy in a houndstooth hat behind the Alabama bench. WRONG SPORT.

Bama wins the tip and Brock comes up. Downey on him, Tide go inside, travel and a turnover.

Downey beats the press, dishes to Evka. Head-fakes, guy flies by, for 3, no good. Bama rebound.

Knox has one in and out, Downey stops and pops for two. Then he steals, loads up for 3, got it. One more steal to tie.

Torrance misses and falls down, Evka with the rebound. Raley-Ross decides he wants it all, goes for the jam, elevates and sinks it with no dunk. 9-0 and Bama calls time.

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About to begin

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 06:56:00 PM

Crowd half-full, if that. Absolutely pathetic.

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Starting lineups

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 06:49:00 PM

Alabama -- Mikhail Torrance, Anthony Brock, Tony Mitchell, Justin Knox, Chris Hines. Crimson Tide going big, with one guard and four forwards.

USC -- Darrin Horn gives the seniors a start. Evka Baniulis joins Sam Muldrow in the post, Robert Wilder joins Brandis Raley-Ross and Devan Downey in the backcourt.

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Starting lineups

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 06:49:00 PM

Alabama -- Mikhail Torrance, Anthony Brock, Tony Mitchell, Justin Knox, Chris Hines. Crimson Tide going big, with one guard and four forwards.

USC -- Darrin Horn gives the seniors a start. Evka Baniulis joins Sam Muldrow in the post, Robert Wilder joins Brandis Raley-Ross and Devan Downey in the backcourt.

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Senior Night

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 06:39:00 PM

Showing a nice highlight video of all five of the guys while the tables and jerseys and such are being set up. For those of you who had a ticket and didn't come, you should give up a football ticket to compensate. No excuse.

Trey Brown, manager, leads the way before Robert Wilder. His parents are here.

Brandis Raley-Ross walks on with his mom and dad.

Evka Baniulis on with his girlfriend and her parents. Too bad his parents couldn't come.

Dominique Archie on with his mom and his son. Hope this isn't the last Senior Night of his I have to see.

And now, the man himself. So long, Devan. That won't be the last framed jersey you ever hoist.

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23 minutes to go

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 05:55:00 PM

Still a very sparse crowd here, including in the student section. All of you should be ashamed.

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Greetings from CLA

posted by David Cloninger, 3/03/2010 05:53:00 PM

Ready for Senior Night here at the Colonial. I notice USC didn't pop for those senior T-shirts, designed like the jerseys with the different numbers of the seniors on them. Somebody's got to pay for those football renovations.

Stay tuned.

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