COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Kentucky coach John Calipari thought his freshmen looked like freshmen for the first time all season. South Carolina's Chris Silva continued to look like a major force in the Southeastern Conference who led the Gamecocks' dramatic second-half comeback against the Wildcats.
Silva tied his career high he set earlier this month with 27 points as South Carolina (12-6, 3-3 SEC) rallied from 14 points down in the second half to top No. 18 Kentucky 76-68 on Tuesday night.
Silva "was the difference," Calipari said. "He manhandled everyone we put on him."
It didn't look like it would have an impact midway through the second half when Kevin Knox's short jumper with 12:28 to go put the Wildcats ahead 54-40.