Martin pleased with South Carolina progress

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina coach Frank Martin believes his Gamecocks took another step forward — and finished with the program’s first winning record in six years to prove it.

South Carolina won four of its final six games to end an up-and-down season 17-16, the year ending last week after a 74-62 loss to Georgia in the Southeastern Conference quarterfinals.

The Gamecocks had won twice, including an improbable second-round win over NCAA Tournament-bound Ole Miss, to extend their season. The players hoped it was enough to keep things going this week. But the Gamecocks were passed up by the NIT.

Martin says he’s proud of his players’ performance in moving the program ahead and that they can build on what was accomplished.