Dozier Puts In 20, but Seton Hall Edges USC

NEW YORK (AP) — Desi Rodriguez made a tiebreaking a layup with 11.6 seconds left, lifting Seton Hall over No. 16 South Carolina 67-64 in the Under Armour Reunion at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.

The Pirates went ahead when Rodriguez took an inbound pass from Khadeen Carrington and drove along the baseline for the layup. PJ Dozier then missed a 3-pointer for the Gamecocks, and Myles Powell knocked down one free throw for Seton Hall (8-2).

The Pirates trailed by nine early in the second half before rallying. Carrington led Seton Hall with 21 points after missing his first five shots.

Dozier scored 20 points for South Carolina (8-1), which shot 38.6 percent and was outscored 40-30 in the final 20 minutes.

Seton Hall led 64-60 on a free throw by Rodriguez with 1:49 left. The Gamecocks tied it at 64 on two free throws by Justin McKie with 34.3 seconds left.

The Pirates then called a timeout, setting up Carrington’s pass in to Rodriguez.

BIG PICTURE

Seton Hall: Free throws had proven difficult for Seton Hall at times. The Pirates entered Monday making 61 percent of their attempts but hit enough to stay within striking distance during the first half. A 15-of-25 showing in the second half nearly cost them.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks held an opponent under 40 percent shooting for the seventh time in nine games, but their lack of consistent offense down the stretch was their undoing.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Seton Hall: The unranked Pirates may get some consideration for the AP Top 25 next week thanks to a big win on a big stage.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks moved up three spots to No. 16 earlier Monday, their highest ranking since ending 1997-98 at No. 14. They’ll likely slip back with the loss.

UP NEXT

Seton Hall: Hosts Delaware on Saturday before facing former Big East rival Rutgers on Dec. 23 in its final nonconference game.

South Carolina: Visits South Florida on Saturday.