COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Brian Bryant hit a lay-up off an inbounds pass as the buzzer sounded to give Mississippi State a 69-67 overtime win Wednesday night over South Carolina.
Dee Boss found the junior forward for his 11th assist of the night as the Bulldogs (20-10, 7-8 Southeastern Conference) ended a five-game losing streak and kept their NCAA tournament hopes alive.
Bryant led Mississippi State with 16 points, while Arnett Moultrie added 15 points, including three key free throws to send the game into overtime.
With the loss, South Carolina (10-19, 2-13) is guaranteed to finish last in the SEC for the second time in six seasons. Bruce Ellington led the Gamecocks with 17 points, but his high-arching short jumper to win the game at the end of regulation was just short.
In his final home game, USC senior Malik Cooke scored 11 points.
The Gamecocks close the regular season Saturday at Georgia.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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