BY: Andy Humphrey

ATLANTA – The South Carolina Gamecocks completed their second-straight upset as they defeated the 5^th-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks 71-69 at the Georgia Dome Thursday.

“We’ve matured and we’ve improved as a team,” said freshman guard Sindarius Thornwell after leading the Gamecocks with 17 points.  He also provided three rebounds and two assists.

The Gamecocks outrebounded the Razorbacks 40-24 in a game that came right down to the wire.  The teams were tied at 69 when Thornwell hit a free throw to give South Carolina a one-point lead with 16 seconds remaining.  At the other end, Arkansas freshman forward Bobby Portis missed a close-range shot that was rebounded by the Gamecocks and eventually sealed the game after another made free throw from sophomore forward Michael Carrera.

With their second win of the tournament, South Carolina will face the 4^th-seeded Tennessee Volunteers Friday.  The Gamecocks lost 72-53 in the only regular-season matchup between the two teams in Knoxville on Feb. 8.

“We just have to listen to the scouting report and whatever coach wants us to do,” said Carrera.