University of Georgia Athletics
Bulldogs Roll Past South Carolina, 73-54
February 10, 2007 | Men's Basketball
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Senior guard Levi Stukes became Georgia's all-time leader in 3-pointers as Georgia snapped a three-game losing streak, rolling past South Carolina 73-54 Saturday night.
The Bulldogs (14-9, 6-5 Southeastern Conference) swept the season series with the Gamecocks (12-11, 2-8) for the second straight year, but the victory came at a cost even as they helped their NCAA hopes with a second SEC road win.
Sophomore Mike Mercer, who leads Georgia in scoring at 13.7 points per game, likely saw his season come to an end when he injured his right knee with 9:45 left in the second half. The knee gave way as he tried to stop. It was put in an inflatable cast and Mercer was wheeled off the floor to a standing ovation.
"His knee did come out of socket," Georgia coach Dennis Felton said. "They were able to slip it back in socket probably within about 90 seconds. But there's significant ligament damage and he's likely out for the year."
Georgia shot 47.5 percent, including 9-of-17 3-pointers while outrebounding the Gamecocks 47-32. Billy Humphrey led Georgia with 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a career-high seven steals while Stukes added 13 points.
South Carolina, which hit just 33.3 percent, was led by Tre Kelley with 21 points and seven assists.
Stukes became Georgia's career 3-point leader when he hit from long range with 2:51 left in the first half, giving him 232 to move ahead of D.A. Layne. Stukes' 3-pointer was part of a 15-5 run in the final 4:09 to take a 41-26 halftime lead.
The Bulldogs hit three 3-pointers in the closing surge while the Gamecocks made just two of five field goals and had three turnovers. With Kelley on the bench for a rest, Georgia scored 11 straight points to start the run.
On his return, Kelley immediately hit a bucket to finish the half with five field goals for 11 points along with five assists, meaning he had a hand in all but one of the Gamecocks' 11 first-half buckets.
The Bulldogs continued their surge in the second half, outscoring South Carolina 9-2 in the first 3:19 to stretch their lead to 50-28 on a 3-pointer and two foul shots by Stukes. The Gamecocks never got closer than 15 after that in losing their fourth game in a row.
"I really enjoyed watching our team play tonight because we did so many of the things that constitute Georgia basketball," Felton said. "I thought our offense had its best and most consistent rhythm that we've had in a few games. It was fun to watch them play."
It was agony for coach Dave Odom, whose Gamecocks continue to struggle at home - they are 1-4 in league games at the Colonial Center - and trying to find anyone other than Kelley to provide an offensive punch.
"Every game that goes by like this becomes more difficult. It's more difficult on everybody _ coaches, players, fans," Odom said. "But you have two choices. You can fight it or you stick your head down and keep getting kicked. We're going to fight hard."