ForumsLed by a combined 49 points from Tobias Harris and Scotty Hopson, Tennessee held off a late South Carolina run to defeat the Gamecocks by a score of 73-69 in Columbia on Thursday night.
Fueled by 61% first-half shooting, Tennessee sprinted out to a 17-point halftime lead. The Gamecocks pulled to within three late, but couldn’t get any closer.
“I wish we played as well at home as we do on the road,” Bruce Pearl joked after the game. “I wish we could play South Carolina more often.”
Needing the win to boost its NCAA Tournament resume, the Vols looked to leading scorers Scotty Hopson and Tobias Harris; and they responded. Tobias Harris scored a career-high 25 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while Scotty Hopson added 24.
“Obviously, Tobias Harris and Scotty Hopson were terrific offensively,” Pearl said. “We got a few other good contributions from some other guys and we handled that zone really well.”
“Tobias Harris played like an All-American. He played like an All-American.”
Harris cited his work ethic and self confidence and reasons for his success on the court.
“My dad has really instilled it in me, just to work hard and out-work everybody else and the people that you are playing against,” Harris said. “I do that kind of for myself and my self confidence.”
“Just to know that nobody else out on the floor works as hard as me; it’s really a confidence thing also.”
Tennessee (18-12, 8-7 SEC) took advantage of a huge disparity at the free throw line. The Vols made 25-of-34 attempts, compared to just 12-of-13 for South Carolina.
Sam Muldrow scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead South Carolina (14-14, 5-5 SEC).
Steven Pearl continues to have a positive impact when he is on the floor. The senior logged an impressive 21 minutes against the Gamecocks, finishing with four points, two steals, two assists, and two rebounds.
“I thought Steven Pearl played another really good basketball game for us,” Bruce Pearl said.
Bruce Pearl is now 12-2 against the Gamecocks, winning the last nine in a row.
Tennessee returns home on Sunday for its final regular season game against the Kentucky Wildcats. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
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