‘Dores down Gamecocks, 96-83

It may be a little late for Vanderbilt (17-11, 6-8 SEC) to start making an NCAA at-large push, but they got back to basics Saturday night doing what they do best: punking a proud conference opponent in Memorial Gym.

The Commodores capitalized off two first-half technical fouls on SEC East-leading South Carolina (20-7, 9-5 SEC), and A.J. Ogilvy (28 points) and Jermaine Beal (27 points) notched career highs en route to what seemed like an easy 96-83 win.

“We came out tonight real loose, and coach just told us to go out and have fun,” said Ogilvy, who also tallied four blocks. “I think that’s a big part of it. We just came out and enjoyed the game.”

After Gamecocks All-SEC point guard Devan Downey stole an errant pass to lay in the game’s first points, the ‘Dores scored seven points on a single possession to take the lead for good. Gamecocks forward Mike Holmes drew a technical foul for a flagrant elbow to Ogilvy following a made sky hook, Beal hit the ensuing free throws, and Brad Tinsley hit a three to take a 9-2 lead.

Vanderbilt put on perhaps their best offensive show of the season, shooting a blistering 67 percent (6-of-9) from behind the arc in the first half. The ‘Dores made 11 of 13 free throws in the first period and stretched out the differential to 20 points (47-27) going into halftime.

The ‘Dores pushed the lead to as much as 25 in the second half, but neither team sustained much of an offensive run as they swapped baskets down the stretch. The final margin was as close as it had been since the 11:10 mark in the first half.

Four Commodores scored in double figures, including fab freshman efforts from Jeff Taylor (17 points) and Tinsley (16 points). Downey led USC with 24 points, six assists and four steals while backcourt mate Zam Fredrick added 21 points.

The Commodores now shift their attention to Baton Rouge, where they will play SEC-leading LSU (25-4, 13-1) Wednesday at 7 p.m.