Columbia, SC - After a sluggish start, the South Carolina Gamecocks polished off Div. II Kentucky Wesleyan 78-55 in exhibition action Thursday night at the Colonial Life Arena.

It's the second straight year the Gamecocks have taken out the Division II Panthers in a preseason game.  It gives South Carolina its fifth straight exhibition win. The Gamecocks won last season's exhibition with Kentucky Wesleyan by a nearly-identical 75-55 score.

Sam Muldrow fueled the USC attack with 17 points and 5 rebounds.  Muldrow lead five Gamecocks in double figures, and South Carolina was able to pull away from Kentucky Wesleyan in the second half.  Four other Gamecocks hit double figures, including senior Dominique Archie with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds.  Freshman Ramon Galloway made a strong debut with 11 points and four rebounds.  Mike Holmes added 10 points on 5-for-8 shooting, and Brandis Raley-Ross had 10 of his own, knocking down a pair of 3-point attempts.

South Carolina opens the 2009-2010 regular season on November 13 when they host Alabama A & M.  Tip-off is set for 7 pm at the Colonial Life Arena.