Dozier improves as Gamecocks prevail

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NO. 20 SOUTH CAROLINA 68, VERMONT 50

COLUMBIA, S.C. — PJ Dozier came to South Carolina last season as Coach Frank Martin’s first McDonald’s All-America recruit. Things, however, did not go Dozier’s way. But that’s changed. Dozier had a career-high 21 points to lead the 20th-ranked Gamecocks to a 68-50 victory over Vermont and a 7-0 start for the second year in a row.

Dozier helped the Gamecocks to a 13-1 run at the start of the second half. Maik Kotsar had eight points in the charge while Dozier had a three-pointer and a thunderous finish to an alley-oop pass that had the crowd on its feet as South Carolina took a 49-32 lead.

The Catamounts (6-3) could not respond to taller, quicker South Carolina.

Anthony Lamb had 14 points, the only Vermont player in double figures.

In other games involving ranked men’s team Thursday, Chris Chiozza scored 16 points, Justin Leon added 13 and No. 24 Florida (7-1) handled North Florida 91-60. Dallas Moore finished with 31 points for North Florida (3-6). … Josh Perkins and Silas Melson had 15 points apiece as No. 8 Gonzaga remained undefeated and kept Mississippi Valley State winless with a 97-63 victory. … Jacob Evans III made two free throws with 20 seconds left in overtime and Cincinnati upset No. 19 Iowa State 55-54. Kyle Washington had 13 points and 10 rebounds and Evans had 11 points for the Bearcats (6-1).

In games involved Top 25 SEC women’s teams, A’ja Wilson scored a career-best 31 points and had 12 rebounds to help No. 3 South Carolina beat No. 14 Texas 76-67. Kaela Davis added 12 points, and Tyasha Harris had 10 for the Gamecocks (6-0). Kelsey Lang had 15 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks for Texas (2-3). … Makayla Epps scored 30 points and Maci Morris had 11 of her career-high 19 in the second half when No. 17 Kentucky (6-1) pulled away for an 82-68 victory over No. 12 Oklahoma (5-1). … Kindred Wesemann scored 16 points and Kansas State made 12 of 18 free throws in the fourth quarter to turn back No. 23 Auburn 71-66. Breanna Lewis finished with 13 points and nine rebounds as the Wildcats (7-0). Katie Frerking finished with 22 points and Janiah McKay added 15 for the Tigers (6-2).