COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Duane Notice had a career-high 19 points, fellow freshman Sindarius Thornwell added 19, and South Carolina ended its 0-6 Southeastern Conference start with an 80-52 victory over Texas A&M on Wednesday night.
The Gamecocks (8-12, 1-6) had matched a program worst league start and were in danger of tagging head coach Frank Martin with the longest losing streak of his college career. But South Carolina jumped on the Aggies (12-8, 3-4) early and gradually pulled away for their first victory since January 3.
Notice has been pressed into the primary point guard role because of junior Tyrone Johnson’s foot surgery and senior Bruce Ellington’s decision to give up his senior seasons in football and basketball — he was the Gamecocks top receiver this season — for the NFL.
Brenton Williams added 18 points for the Gamecocks.
Jamal Jones and Shawn Smith led Texas A&M with nine points apiece.
