CLEMSON, S.C. - James Mays scored a career-high 19 to lead Clemson to an 82-63 win over South Carolina Saturday.
The Tigers (6-0) dominated most of the game, outrebounding USC 47-34. Many came on the offensive end, and Clemson was able to convert second-chance points throughout.
The game was physical, but the tide turned for good in Clemson's favor after a brief scuffle between Renaldo Balkman and Julius Powell.
Midway through the second half with the Tigers ahead 62-53, Balkman grabbed a rebound. He was swarmed by three Tigers, losing the ball and falling to the ground, dragging Powell with him. The two were tied up and appeared to be fighting, but referee Les Jones jumped in the middle.
While several other players turned to see what was going on, Ousmane Konate of South Carolina (5-2) came off the bench. He was ejected.
From there, the Tigers outscored the Gamecocks 9-1. Mays was key during the stretch.
NO. 8 BOSTON COLLEGE 77, SACRED HEART 66 : Jared Dudley scored a season-low 11 points but surpassed 1,000 in his career, adding 12 rebounds as the Eagles remained unbeaten through the easiest part of its schedule. Craig Smith scored 20 with 10 rebounds.
Kibwe Trim had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Sacred Heart (1-5) before fouling out with 6:35 left in the game. Tavio Hobson scored 14 points and Luke Granato had 12 for the Pioneers, who lost their fourth consecutive game and fell to 0-10 against ranked teams since moving up to Division I in 1999.
NO. 22 WAKE FOREST 78, ELON 59: Justin Gray scored half his 22 points during the opening five minutes of the second half, Trent Strickland added 10 points and 12 rebounds and the Demon Deacons (7-1) cruised. For the first time ever, Wake was officially the visitor in the Greensboro Coliseum, where it played most of its key home games before the opening of Joel Coliseum near campus in 1989. It hardly has served as the friendly confines over the years, since the Deacons improved to 61-76 all-time in Greensboro.
MIAMI 82, BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN 55: Robert Hite scored a season-high 22 points for the Hurricane, who gained their first win in three games. After losing their previous two games by a combined 39 points, the Miami (5-3) took an early lead against the Panthers (3-2) and dominated throughout.
Sutton moves up on win list
STILLWATER, Okla. - Eddie Sutton passed Lefty Driesell for fifth place on the all-time coaching wins list with Oklahoma State's 64-54 win over SMU on Saturday night.
Sutton, who is 787-300 in his 36-year coaching career, trails only North Carolina's Dean Smith, Kentucky's Adolph Rupp, Texas Tech's Bob Knight and Jim Phelan of Mount St. Mary's on the career list.
Among active coaches, only Knight has more wins: 859.
Driesell had a career record of 786-394. His record at Oklahoma State is 357-136.
Elsewhere in nation
OREGON ST. 69, UNLV 63: Marcel Jones had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the host Beavers, who overcame a 22-point first-half deficit.
WASHINGTON ST. 58, KANSAS ST. 57: Derrick Low scored 14 and Kyle Weaver made two key defensive plays in the final seconds for host Washington State.
TEXAS A&M 60, PENN ST. 55: Joseph Jones scored 15 points and Josh Carter had 12 for the host Aggies.
State
GARDNER-WEBB 70, STETSON 68: Simon Conn had 26 points, nine rebounds and four blocks to carry Gardner-Webb to a tense victory over the Hatters (0-6).
ECKERD 88, PALM BEACH ATLANTIC 69: Sophomore guard Damone Morris scored a career-high 24 as the Tritons improved to 7-1 in a game in Tampa.
TAMPA 74, SALEM INTER. 67: The host Spartans won their fourth in a row.
B-CC 84, FAMU 71: Sam Barber scored a career-high 31 for the host Wildcats.
