COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Michael Carrera had 20 points and 11 rebounds on Saturday night to lift South Carolina to a 78-64 victory over Alabama and continue the Gamecocks best start in 46 years.
The Gamecocks (6-2 Southeastern Conference) matched the 19-2 start of the 1969-70 team and gave coach Frank Martin the most wins in a season since he arrived four years ago.
Carrera scored 16 of his points in the second half when the Gamecocks built a 15-point lead, then saw Alabama (11-9, 2-6) cut things to 67-61 in the final five minutes before pulling away.