South Carolina Gamecocks fall to the Clemson Tigers 64-55

December 2, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Brenton Williams (1) shoots over Clemson Tigers forward Bernard Sullivan (22) in the second half at Colonial-Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE

The South Carolina Gamecocks could not extend their winning streak over Clemson to three games Sunday afternoon. They fell 64-55 despite a larger-than-usual home crowd and an early second half lead.

The biggest problem?

Turnovers.

Carolina turned the ball over 19 times. Clemson did that just 13 times.

When the Gamecocks still had a chance late in the game, down single digits with around three minutes to go, Brenton Williams (questionably) traveled on a rebound, and Lakeem Jackson traveled, then threw the ball into the stands on a what-were-you-thinking pass to, I think, Williams.

Another problem?

Carolina starters.

The five, Jackson, RJ Slawson, Eric Smith, Michael Carrera and Lashay Page combined to score 14 points on five made field goals.

Slawson and Carrera got into foul trouble early, but there wasn’t an excuse for the other three guys.

Bruce Ellington scored 12 points on four-of-nine shooting, but had five turnovers.

Mindaugas Kacinas scored 10 points on three-of-five shooting and had three rebounds.

Carolina’s best player, though, was Brenton Williams who scored 16 points off the bench, just a few days after a scary fall in St. Johns that saw him leave the court on a stretcher.

The Gamecocks out-rebounded Clemson by three, but the Tigers had 10 steals and eight blocks to SC’s three and seven.

South Carolina will take the court again Friday against the Jacksonville Dolphins.