SC holds on to upset Auburn
COLUMBIA, S.C. — No. 10 Auburn’s path toward closing out a stellar season in the Southeastern Conference just got tougher.
The Tigers found out shortly after their stunning, 84-75 loss to South Carolina on Saturday that starter Anfernee McLemore was lost for the season after a horrific injury late in the first half.
“Now, we’re down to eight guys,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said.
The Tigers (23-4, 11-3 SEC) were already one of the smallest teams in the country — “We’re 305th in size,” Pearl said — and will go the rest of the year minus their top low-post presence in the 6-foot-7 McLemore, who fractured his tibia and dislocated his left ankle.
Pearl said McLemore will travel back with the team and most likely have surgery Sunday. McLemore will need up to six months to recover.
“It’s just sad,” Auburn forward Desean Murray said.
Pearl said he told his team they can’t worry about factors out of their control, such as McLemore’s injury.
Everyone left on their schedule will be gunning for the first-place Tigers, and it’s up to his players, Pearl said, to find a way to succeed.
“We’ve got to clear our heads,” Murray said, “and bring another level of focus to practice.”
Auburn had lost its focus early in this one as South Carolina used a 21-1 first-half run to move in front by 26 points.
Frank Booker scored 19 points for South Carolina, which ended its six-game losing streak.
Auburn blocked out McLemore’s injury in the second half and cut its big deficit down to 64-59 with just under seven minutes left.
But South Carolina scored the next seven points to restore the double-digit lead, and Auburn could get no closer than six points the rest of the way.
South Carolina beat a top-10 program for the third straight season and defeated its first top-10 team at home since taking out No. 1 Kentucky in January 2010.
Chris Silva had 14 points and 11 rebounds for South Carolina, his sixth double-double of the season.
South Carolina coach Frank Martin said his