COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Brenton Williams scored a career-high 38 points to lead South Carolina to a 79-72 win over Mississippi State on Wednesday night.
The Gamecocks (14-16, 4-13 Southeastern Conference) won for just the second time in 11 games to climb of out last place in the SEC.
South Carolina led 37-35 early in the second half before scoring 13 straight points to take a 50-35 lead.
The Gamecocks' advantage would climb to 22. Mississippi State (8-21, 3-14) got back in it by scoring 14 straight points to trail 68-63 with 2:37 left. But Williams then sank two free throws on the next possession and the Bulldogs wouldn't get closer.
Williams' 38 points were the most ever for South Carolina in an SEC game.
Craig Sword led Mississippi State with 20 points.
