Cougars stop Gamecocks in overtime

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South Carolina at College of Charleston basketball

South Carolina took on College of Charleston at the Carolina First Arena Friday November 28, 2008. The Cougars won 82-80 in overtime.

It's early into the College of Charleston's run in their new basketball venue, but until further notice, the Cougars' 82-80 overtime victory over South Carolina Friday night will stand as their finest hour in Carolina First Arena.

Tony White Jr. sealed the victory with two free throws with 3.4 seconds to play in overtime, allowing the Cougars (5-1) to beat the Gamecocks (4-1) for only the second time in 29 tries and the first time since 1930.

"It's early in the year and there's a long way to go," said Charleston coach Bobby Cremins. "We've got a lot of basketball left to be played, but this was a great win for our program."

A near sellout crowd of 5,032 in the 5,100-seat arena was on hand to witness Charleston's victory over the Gamecocks, and while there was a sprinkling of South Carolina faithful, there was no doubt it was a partisan Cougars crowd.

They witnessed a competitive game from start to finish.

The Gamecocks led by a point at halftime and neither team led by more than five points in the second half.

With the score tied at 80, South Carolina's Devan Downey missed a driving layup with Charleston rebounding with 23 seconds to play.

Charleston worked for the last shot, with White driving to the basket and drawing a foul from Zam Fredrick with 3.4 seconds to play.

White stepped to the line, mindful of a pair of free throws he missed late in the game in a loss at Wofford last season and also mindful of words of encouragement from assistant coach Mark Byington.

"I've been there before and there have been times when I missed and we lost because of it," White said. "I really take that Wofford game to heart because we lost. Coach Byington told me, 'If you're ever in that situation again, I know you'll make it.' He had confidence in me and I did as well."

White made both free throws and Antwaine Wiggins stole South Carolina's inbounds pass to clinch it.

White led Charleston with 21 points, while Andrew Goudelock added 20.

Downey led the Gamecocks with 22.

"Our defensive product was not there tonight," said South Carolina coach Darrin Horn. "We knew we had to rebound and take care of the basketball and we didn't do either particularly well."

It looked like the Gamecocks might pull it out in regulation. Dominique Archie made a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give USC a 76-74 lead with 11.7 seconds to play.

Then Goudelock countered with a jumper just inside the 3-point line with 2.7 seconds to play to tie it for the Cougars.

The game officials had to review the shot to decide that Goudelock was inside the 3-point line.

"We had a lot of faith in that play," Cremins said of the play that went to Goudelock. "We ran it to a great scorer and a great shooter and he delivered. Great basketball game, great atmosphere."

Goudelock intercepted South Carolina's inbounds pass, but his shot from beyond halfcourt at the buzzer was short of the mark and the game went to overtime.

South Carolina led 25-12 with 10:40 to play in the first half, and led by an 11-point margin with 6:49 to play. Then the Cougars started making shots from the perimeter and cut the lead to 42-41 at the half.

The Gamecocks got off to a fast start with their 3-point shooting, making their first four shots, but made just one of three over the last 12:22 of the second half.