COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Villanova transfer Tyrone Johnson had a career high 18 points in his South Carolina debut and freshman guard Sindarius Thornwell added 14 points to lead the Gamecocks to their 13th straight opening game victory 82-44 over Longwood on Saturday.
Johnson was granted a waiver by the NCAA this week to play immediately instead of after the first semester and was in the starting lineup for South Carolina. He scored the team’s first bucket and went on to surpass his previous high of 14 points set for the Wildcats against Connecticut in February 2012.
The Gamecocks took control of the Lancers with a 19-4 run in the final five minutes before halftime to lead 37-15 at the break.
Brenton Williams had 14 points for the Gamecocks while Michael Carrera had 12 points and nine rebounds.
Tristan Carey had 12 points to lead Longwood, which shot less than 23 percent.
