Downey scores 18 to help South Carolina defeat Longwood 88-85, snap 2-game skid

South Carolina defeats Longwood 88-85

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Devan Downey scored 18 points to help South Carolina defeat Longwood 88-85 on Tuesday night and snap a two-game losing streak.

Downey scored 17 points in a first half in which the Gamecocks (9-5) pulled ahead by 23 points. The Lancers (3-13) weren’t much of a threat the rest of the way in South Carolina’s final nonconference game before the Southeastern Conference opener on Saturday.

The Gamecocks led 15-12 with about 11 minutes remaining before going on a 14-2 run.

Downey, Evaldas Baniulis and Brandis Raley-Ross each hit a 3-pointer during the run.

After a couple of Lancers (3-13) baskets, South Carolina closed the half on a 16-5 spurt to build a 47-24 lead at halftime.

Baniulis added 15 points to break out of a season-long shooting slump. He came in shooting 25.5 percent from the field and 26 percent from beyond the arc, but finished 5-for-8 on 3-pointers.