Nothing foul about 13-0: Gamecocks’ line prowess keeps them undefeated

South Carolina slunk in with sheepish expressions, knowing that missing 17 free throws is a quick invitation to the loss column.

Then again, perhaps the Gamecocks were just tired.

No. 24 USC survived Memphis 86-76 on Saturday, finishing its nonconference season 13-0 after a 46-of-63 performance from the line. The game set school records for free-throw attempts (old record: 57) and makes (old record: 44) as the Tigers, who earn nearly 30 percent of their offense from the line, had their gameplan thrown in their faces.

Memphis (9-4) set the tone when Shaq Goodwin got tangled with Chris Silva under the basket within the first three minutes. The two had to be separated, making Goodwin a marked man to the crowd and the rest of the teams targeted by the officials.

As the game sputtered toward the end and the whistles kept blowing, USC had just enough to get by.

“When it’s late in the game and they’re fouling,” Sindarius Thornwell said, “that’s when you want the ball the most.”

USC wasn’t perfect, but was good enough. The Tigers scored 11 straight points from the line at one point as the game staggered on, but they had to keep fouling the Gamecocks as the final seconds ticked away.

Michael Carrera and Duane Notice locked it down. It didn’t win any prizes for the NCAA’s desired dictum of speeding up the game and creating more excitement, but it kept USC perfect and prepared the Gamecocks for the next part of their season – the SEC.

“That’s how we live, every single day,” Carrera said. “Games like this, got to be ready for it.”

Goodwin’s and Silva’s early tussle opened the door for 68 fouls and 99 free-throw attempts. Frank Martin shrugged, saying each team fouled and neither adjusted to the officials. Memphis’ Josh Pastner said he couldn’t comment because he didn’t want to get in trouble – but encouraged all fans to contact Memphis athletics director Tom Bowen because “he’ll get things done.”

Neither team could get in an offensive rhythm. There were a mere 37 field goals for the game, and while there were seven players in double figures, all were supplementing their points from the stripe.

Five Memphis players fouled out.

“If you step into the ring with Mike Tyson, you’re going to get hit with a left hook,” Martin said. “You just don’t want to get hit with the left hook, or multiple left hooks. They’re big, long and athletic and drive you and drive you and drive you.”

TURNING POINT

Duane Notice hit two free throws for a 61-59 lead with just over nine minutes to play. The Tigers tied it within the next 20 seconds, but then the Gamecocks re-took the lead and held Memphis at arm’s length.

3 POINTS

Star of the game: Notice had 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. He was a perfect 12-for-12 from the line.

Play of the game: Silva’s tangle with Goodwin early got the crowd into the game. It didn’t let up, causing Martin to say it was the first time this year he really felt like the Gamecocks had a home-court advantage.

Stat of the game: 76-of-99. The numerous free throws led to a two-and-a-half-hour game.

FROM THE BASELINE

Wave your hands in the air: The crowd (listed at 13,035) was standing and screaming for 37 minutes of a 40-minute game. As Memphis’ Shaq Goodwin kept waving his arms for the crowd to keep booing, it enthusiastically obliged.

Bam Bam: Auburn will provide the same kind of obstacle. Those Tigers are also physical in the post and will try to intimidate USC.

Hear, hear: Pastner said several times that USC’s administration needs to extend Martin’s contract. Martin has two years left on his deal after this season. There haven’t been any rumors of Martin leaving or being interested in other schools, so it was a little strange for Pastner to bring it up unprompted.

Martin: “I don’t listen to that stuff. I work for the best guy in the country.”

UP NEXT

Who: South Carolina at Auburn

When: 7 p.m., Tuesday

Where: Auburn Arena, Auburn, Ala.

TV: SEC Network

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MEMPHIS (9-4)

Burrell 1-7 0-0 2, Goodwin 3-10 7-7 13, Martin 2-5 4-7 10, K. Lawson 0-3 1-2 1, Tarrant Jr. 3-11 12-12 20, D. Lawson 2-7 1-2 6, Woodson 4-10 3-3 14, Crawford 3-7 2-3 8, Johnson 0-0 0-0 0, Marshall 1-1 0-0 2, McDowell 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-61 30-36 76.

SOUTH CAROLINA (13-0)

Thornwell 4-8 9-14 18, Chatkevicius 2-6 5-6 9, Dozier 3-7 1-3 7, Carrera 4-11 6-9 16, Kacinas 2-7 4-4 8, Stroman 0-1 5-8 5, Gregory 1-1 0-0 2, Notice 1-8 12-12 15, McKie 0-0 0-0 0, Cobb 0-0 0-0 0, Silva 1-8 4-7 6. Totals 18-57 46-63 86.

Halftime: Tied 42-42. 3-Point Goals_Memphis 8-22 (Woodson 3-9, Martin 2-2, Tarrant Jr. 2-5, D. Lawson 1-3, K. Lawson 0-1, Burrell 0-2), South Carolina 4-17 (Carrera 2-3, Thornwell 1-3, Notice 1-6, Chatkevicius 0-1, Dozier 0-1, Kacinas 0-3). Fouled Out_Burrell, Crawford, Goodwin, K. Lawson, D. Lawson. Rebounds_Memphis 38 (Goodwin 9), South Carolina 53 (Carrera 11). Assists_Memphis 8 (Burrell 2), South Carolina 9 (Notice 3). Total Fouls_Memphis 41, South Carolina 27. Attendance: 13,035.

This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 8:37 PM.