Waco, TX (My Sportsbook) - The 19th-ranked Baylor Bears continue their seven- game homestand this evening, as they welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks to the Ferrell Center for a non-conference showdown.
The Bears have already won the first five games on their current homestand, including a 113-78 trouncing of Jackson State on Wednesday. It was the highest output of the season and the second time Baylor has cracked the century mark this campaign, as it improved to 33-0 all-time versus SWAC programs. Now at 12-1 overall, the Bears will look to remain perfect at home, where they have gone 9-0 thus far.
As for USC, it is coming off its first loss in over a month, falling to nationally-ranked Clemson, 98-87, on Tuesday. It was the first loss since dropping an 82-80 overtime decision at the College of Charleston on November 28th, as the team saw its five-game win streak come to an end. The Gamecocks, now at 9-2 overall, hit the road, where they have gone an even 1-1 this season.
USC and Baylor have split two prior encounters on the hardwood, with the Bears capturing a 92-84 victory in last season's meeting.
The Gamecocks simply couldn't slow down Clemson on Tuesday, allowing it to shoot 55.4 percent from the field, including 10-of-21 from long range, in a 98-87 setback. USC kept things competitive by making 47.7 percent of its attempts from the floor and 21-of-30 at the foul line, but its inability to stop Clemson proved too much to overcome. Devan Downey guided the team in defeat with 37 points and five steals, although he also accounted for eight of the squad's 17 turnovers. Zam Fredrick tallied 19 points, and Mike Holmes had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. On the season, Downey has been highly productive and he leads the Gamecocks in scoring (20.6 ppg), assists (4.1 apg) and steals (37). Fredrick has provided a solid second option at 15.5 ppg, while Holmes turns in 13.0 ppg and a team-best 9.0 rpg. Dominique Archie adds 11.0 ppg and 7.3 rpg for USC, which is scoring a hardy 82.1 ppg as a team this season.
The Bears shot an unconscious 63.8 percent from the floor, including a 10- of-24 performance from three-point range, as they cruised past Jackson State on Wednesday. The team also converted 15-of-19 free-throw attempts, in addition to holding a 42-32 advantage on the boards. Kevin Rogers made 10- of-13 field goals and he led Baylor with 21 points. Henry Dugat netted 20 points, while LaceDarius Dunn registered a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. On the season, Dunn tops the roster in scoring at 16.4 ppg and he has done most of his damage from behind the arc, shooting 41.6 percent. Curtis Jerrells nips at his heels with 16.3 ppg and he is handing out a team-high 5.9 apg, while Dugat contributes 13.6 ppg and 3.3 apg. Rogers puts forth 12.0 ppg and a team-high 6.8 rpg for the Bears, and Tweety Carter rounds out this balanced attack with 10.5 ppg. Baylor as a team, is scoring a healthy 83.5 ppg and shooting an efficient 50.1 percent from the field on the season.
