Southeastern Conference Tournament: No. 5E South Carolina was able to rebound from a 9-2 run to start the game by No. 4W Mississippi State and win the opening game of the SEC Tournament 59-44. Renaldo Balkman led the team with 12 points, while Tre’ Kelley and Tarence Kinsey each added 11. The Gamecocks move on to face No. 1E Tennessee in the quarterfinals.
No. 3E Kentucky went on a 10-point run late in the second half as the Wildcats downed No. 6W Ole Miss 71-57. Randolph Morris, who dominated the inside for the ‘Cats, finished with a game-high 17 points. The Big Blue will face No. 2W Alabama Friday in quarterfinals.
Nashville’s hometown team just was not ready to go home after the first day. No. 4E Vanderbilt edged No. 5W Auburn 76-71. The duo of Shan Foster and Derrick Byars had 20 and 21 points, respectively. The Commodores will move on to play the SEC regular-season champion, No.1W LSU.
The opening day of the SEC tournament was capped off with No. 3W Arkansas taking it to No. 6E Georgia. Alhough leading by just five at halftime, the Razorbacks controlled the second half for the 80-67 win. Jonathon Modica led Arkansas in scoring with 20 points, followed by Ronnie Brewer with 18. Arkansas will be up against No. 2E Florida in the last of Friday’s games. [3/09/06]
