COLUMBIA, S.C.- South Carolina broke open a close game with a 11-2 run early in the second half and went on to defeat Savannah State 52-33 at Colonial Life Arena before a crowd of 3,019.

SSU trailed 19-12 at the half. Courtney Long started the second half with a 3-pointer and a layup to make the score 19-17 with 19:07 remaining.

The Gamecocks answered with a 11-2 run to go ahead 30-19 with 15:14 left.

Savannah State was able to get within eight after a basket by Fila Smith but USC responded with nine straight points to go ahead 40-23 with 9:17 remaining.

After the Lady Tigers made it a 40-26 game, South Carolina pulled off a 10-0 run to go ahead 50-26 with 4:36 on the clock.

SSU managed to out-score the Gamecocks 7-2 to finish the contest.

Long led SSU (3-4) with 11 points while Alisha Nelson grabbed 10 rebounds.

Ashely Bruner came off he bench to lead South Carolina (3-4) with 18 points.

SSU shot 25.9 percent from the floor while the Gamecocks shot 36 percent.

Free throws were a major difference in the contest. USC was 15 of 32 while the Lady Tigers were 3 of 6 from the line.

SSU out-rebounded the Gamecocks 42 to 39.

In the first half, USC opened with he first five points before SSU made it a one point game.

Savannah State trailed 14-10 before USC used a 5-0 spurt to grab and 19-10 advantage.