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South Carolina 74, Appalachian State 69: Lakeem Jackson collected 16 points and seven rebounds and freshman Mindaugas Kacinas posted his first double-double with 12 points and 12 boards as the Gamecocks returned from an 11-day layoff with a home victory.

Brenton Williams added 11 points off the bench and Eric Smith dished out nine assists for the Gamecocks (7-3), who have won two straight.

Mike Neal, Jay Canty and Tevin Baskin each scored 16 points for the Mountaineers (2-8). Canty added eight rebounds while Neal had seven boards and seven assists. Appalachian State has lost eight of nine.

The Gamecocks led by as many as 11 in the first half. Appalachian State reeled off a 17-5 run to take the lead with 28 seconds remaining in the half, but Bruce Ellington hit a 3-pointer with seven seconds left to give South Carolina a 37-35 halftime advantage.

It was tight throughout the second half until the Gamecocks put together a 7-0 run - including five straight points from LaShay Page - to open a 65-58 lead. The Mountaineers were able to get back within 71-69 with 21.9 seconds left, but Nathan Healy missed a potential tying 3-pointer, and Page knocked down two free throws to seal it.

GAME NOTEBOOK: South Carolina has won all four meetings with Appalachian State. … The Mountaineers dropped to 2-24 all-time against members of the SEC. … South Carolina held a slim 25-23 edge in bench scoring. The Gamecocks' reserves have outscored the opposition's bench in every game this season.