University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
12-11, 5-5
South Carolina
14-9, 4-6
South Carolina Downs Vols 72-54
February 09, 2002 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 9, 2002
COLUMBIA - Aaron Lucas scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half and South Carolina routed Tennessee for the second time in three weeks, 72-54, on Saturday night.
South Carolina earned its first season sweep of the Vols since 1998. The Gamecocks (14-9, 4-6 SEC) defeated Tennessee 94-60 at Knoxville 17 days ago.
Tennessee (12-11, 5-5) had won four in row since then, including a 76-74 overtime victory against Kentucky on Wednesday night. But the Vols needed a late rally to reach 40.5 percent shooting (24-of-53), committed 18 turnovers to South Carolina's seven, and were held to its lowest point total this season. Tonight's loss also snapped UT's three-game winning streak at USC's Frank McGuire Arena.
Vols coach Buzz Peterson wasn't around to see the end after picking up two technicals for arguing a foul call early in the second half. It was his first ejection of his head coaching career.
Lucas, who had slumped with only 30 points the past five games, picked up the Gamecocks after Tennessee had cut a 15-point first-half lead to 28-20 at halftime.
He hit a jumper and a 3-pointer as South Carolina opened the second half with a 17-3 run that included four free throws from Chuck Eidson on Peterson's technicals.
Lucas closed the run with a sharp driving layup to put the Gamecocks up 45-23 with 15:50 remaining.
A basket by Lucas with 14:07 made it 50-25 for South Carolina's biggest lead.
When Tennessee made a run to cut the lead to 60-47 in the final five minutes, Lucas made four foul shots to restore control for South Carolina.
It was the first time in six games that Lucas hit double figures. He scored 20 in a 60-51 loss to Vanderbilt game on Jan. 19.
Vincent Yarbrough had 16 points to lead the Vols. Jon Higgins added 15.
