COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) - The start of the Frank Martin era at South Carolina nearly got off to a disastrous start as the Gamecocks escaped Kentucky Wesleyan 68-67 in exhibition play on Tuesday.
Junior guard Brenton Williams scored the go-ahead basket with just under three seconds to go giving the Gamecocks the win. Williams was the game's top scorer with 22 points.
The Gamecocks fell behind early in the first half after some poor shooting put them in an 11-point hole.
USC ended the first half on a 20-4 run and went into the locker room with a six-point lead.
Kentucky Wesleyan surged ahead in the second half with a 9-0 run to start the final frame, putting USC in a tough position.
"You saw some of the good and and you saw some of the bad that needs to change," said Frank Martin after the game. "That's the beauty of why we play a season. It's not about a day it's about the journey. We'll be alright. We just have to keep our heads down and stay with it and keep plowing."
The teams traded the lead 10 times in the second half before the game was decided on Williams' last-second basket.
The Gamecocks tip off the regular season at the Colonial Life Arena Sunday, Nov. 11, against UW-Milwaukee.
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