South Carolina used a 20-0 run to get and stay ahead of SC Upstate in a 65-52 season-opening win Tuesday at Colonial Life Arena.
The Gamecocks, featuring reigning SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year Chris Silva and nine newcomers, struggled to play consistently on each end of the floor. Upstate, playing without star Deion Holmes, didn't score for over 10 minutes in the first half as a quick 9-2 lead vanished.
South Carolina freshman Keyshawn Bryant had a fabulous debut with a game-high 21 points, the first two coming on a soaring one-handed dunk that ignited the home crowd.