Mike HolmesPosted by Logan Smith
A tip-in at the buzzer by forward Mike Holmes lifted the USC men's basketball team to a 75-73 win over Alabama on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, putting the Gamecocks in first place in the SEC East.
With time running out in a game that was tied at 73-73 for more than two minutes, USC forward Dominique Archie missed his before Holmes tipped it in off the rebound for the win as time expired.
Officials briefly reviewed the play, but it was clear the ball -- and Holmes -- were in the air well before the buzzer sounded.
Guard Devan Downey led the Gamecocks (18-5, 7-3 SEC) with 18 points, Archie had 15, Brandis Raley-Ross 13 and Holmes 12.
Except for the game-winning basket, all Holmes' points came in the first half.
Alabama (13-11, 3-7) was led by Alonzo Gee with 18 points. Senario Hillman added 17 and Mikhail Torrance scored 12.
Trailing 41-31 at halftime, USC scored the first nine points of the second half to pull within 41-40. The Gamecocks tied the contest at 55-55 with 10:40 left in the game, and the game stayed close the rest of the way.
The Gamecocks are currently tied at first place in the SEC East with Kentucky and Tennessee, but have a higher win percentage than both other teams.
USC will travel to Mississippi State on Wednesday to take on the Bulldogs, who are currently 16-9 on a two-game losing streak.
