South Carolina defeats Western Kentucky 74-56 Eds: APNewsNow. South Carolina 74, Western Kentucky 56.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Devan Downey scored 15 points to lead five South Carolina players in double figures as the Gamecocks defeated Western Kentucky 74-56 on Wednesday night.

Playing short-handed for the second straight game, South Carolina (6-1) went on a 21-4 run in the first half as five players connected on 3-pointers.

Brandis Raley-Ross hit a pair of 3-pointers and Ramon Galloway, Sam Muldrow and Downey also connected from long range during the stretch lasting more than 6 minutes.

The Gamecocks were 10-for-16 from the field in building a 15-point lead, but went 6-for-23 the remainder of the half.

Western Kentucky (2-3) opened the second half on an 11-5 run to pull within eight but could not get any closer.

Muldrow and Raley-Ross had 12 points apiece while Galloway and Evaldas Baniulis scored 11 each.

A.J. Slaughter led Western Kentucky with 12 points.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-02-09 2026CST | save this article / add to your favorites list