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COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Sindarius Thornwell scored 18 points and South Carolina cruised to an 85-76 victory over Louisiana Tech on Friday night.Thornwell was 7 of 16 from the floor. PJ Dozier and Duane Notice added 17 points apiece for the Gamecocks, who overcame foul trouble and Louisiana Techs trapping defense. Thornwells steal and ensuing dunk with 2:37 left gave the Gamecocks a 10-point lead.Derric Jean had 18 points and Jacobi Boykins added 14 to lead Louisiana Tech. DaQuan Bracey and Omar Sherman chipped in 12 apiece.Trailing by 15 points early in the second half, Louisiana Tech climbed back with 3-point shooting. South Carolina began to earn more trips to the free-throw line but couldnt convert, and the Bulldogs 3s cut the deficit to 65-61 with about eight minutes to play.Thats when they cut it to four, South Carolina coach Frank Martin said. So we locked in and did a better job. We werent very good today.The teams combined for 48 fouls, and the Gamecocks made just 16 of 26 from the line. South Carolina allowed only three field goals in the final six minutes.I started off with a lot of turnovers and forcing a lot of stuff that wasnt there, Thornwell said. Once I settled down, I was all right.BIG PICTURESouth Carolina: The Gamecocks were expected to lean on their guards all season and Thornwell, Dozier, and Notice lived up to the billing.Louisiana Tech: The Bulldogs press was disrupting South Carolina all evening, leading to 15 turnovers. The problem was the Bulldogs left so many points at the rim, missing several layups.STAT OF THE NIGHTThe Gamecocks had 19 second-chance points to the Bulldogs nine, using their superior height to win the rebounding total 35-29. South Carolina hauled in 25 defensive boards.TURNING POINTThornwells dunk was the second of two straight for the Gamecocks after the Bulldogs had cut the deficit to four. The first was Silvas one-hand jam, fed from Thornwell after a Louisiana Tech missed layup.UP NEXTSouth Carolina is in a marathon sprint of three games in five days, and welcomes Holy Cross to Colonial Life Arena on Sunday. Joel Ward Jersey . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Kevin Labanc Jersey . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. http://www.cheapsharksjerseyschina.com/ . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. Sharks Jerseys From China . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. Dylan DeMelo Jersey . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months.The Premier League is heading back to Belfast, so we picked out a classic 2013 clash between Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor in Northern Ireland. The Power was defending his Premier League title as he took on the talented Dutchman and they produced a memorable encounter for the watching crowd.Click on the video above to look back at Taylors tense battle with Van Gerwen.dddddddddddd Also See: Sky Live: PL Darts Mardles PL predictions Wade: Ignore me at your peril MVG: Nothing to prove ' ' '