Cooper, Mack lead the way as South Carolina surprises No. 5 Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ta'Lon Cooper hit a critical 3-pointer with 40 seconds left and scored 18 points, and B.J. Mack added 16 points to lead South Carolina to a 63-59 victory over No. 5 Tennessee on Tuesday night.

Myles Stute scored 13 points for the Gamecocks (18-3, 6-2 Southeastern Conference), who have beaten the conference's two highest-ranked teams. They knocked off No. 10 Kentucky on Jan. 23.

Dalton Knecht scored 12 points in the final three minutes and finished with 31 points, and Santiago Vescovi added 10 points for the Volunteers (15-5, 5-2), who had won four straight games and 11 of their last 12 entering the game.

South Carolina led by three points with 30 seconds left when Stute hit two free throws. Knecht hit a 3-pointer with 5 seconds remaining that cut the Tennessee deficit to two points. Stute hit two more free throws with 4 seconds left to seal the win.

Tennessee shot 36% (21 for 58) from the field and 24% (5 for 21) from 3-point distance.

South Carolina handled Tennessee's aggressive defense in the first half and led 30-26 at the break.

Cooper had 10 points and Mack nine for the Gamecocks in the first half. Knecht had 13 points to pace Tennessee which shot 2 for 11 (18%) from long distance.

The Gamecocks had a 21-19 rebounding edge and limited Tennessee to 36% (12 for 33) shooting to build its lead in the first half.

THE TAKEAWAY

South Carolina: Nine new players on the roster have given the Gamecocks new life after struggling to an 11-21 record a year ago. … Coach Lamont Paris has brought the group together quickly and the Gamecocks have responded with a great start to their season.

Tennessee: Vescovi established a program record when he made his 130th start. … The Vols had their 13-game home winning streak snapped, 11 of those have come this season.

NEXT UP

South Carolina: The Gamecocks get their shot at revenge when they host Georgia on Saturday. The Bulldogs won by five points on Jan. 16.

Tennessee: The Vols will have another tough game Saturday when they visit No. 10 Kentucky.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball