COLUMBIA, S.C. – Kenny Gaines had a career-high 27 points and Georgia bounced back from its first loss in three weeks with a 73-56 victory over South Carolina on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (15-11, 9-5 Southeastern Conference) had their four-game league win streak stopped against Tennessee this past Tuesday. In this one, they broke up a game tied at half with a 16-1 run to start the second period.
Gaines had five 3-pointers and surpassed his previous high of 22 points set earlier this season against Alabama.
Marcus Thornton added 12 points and 10 rebounds for Georgia, his third double-double this season.
South Carolina (10-17, 3-11) was looking for a third consecutive home win. But the Gamecocks missed their first 16 shots of the half as Georgia took control. A frustrated coach Frank Martin earned a technical foul for yelling at official C.J. Washington.
Freshman Sindarius Thornwell had 18 points to lead the Gamecocks.