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South Carolina has dropped from the ranks of the unbeaten and the No. 16 Gamecocks strive to bounce back when they visit South Florida on Saturday in a nonconference affair.South Carolina (8-1) was playing well on both ends of the basketball court prior to Mondays 67-64 loss to Seton Hall at New Yorks Madison Square Garden.And volatile Gamecocks coach Frank Martin didnt even try to sugarcoat his disappointment over a seven-point halftime advantage slipping away.We got manhandled in the second half, Martin said. There is no other way to put it.South Carolina will be without leading scorer Sindarius Thornwell (18.7 per game) for the third straight contest. The senior guard is serving a suspension for a violation of team rules and he isnt expected to be reinstated until early January.To nobodys surprise, Martin isnt interested in fielding questions pertaining to whether or not Thornwells absence led to the Gamecocks suffering their first defeat.Thats his problem, Martin barked. We dont have time to worry about a situation that he created himself.South Florida (5-3) has won three of its past four games and will be looking to avenge last seasons 81-63 loss to South Carolina.The Bulls are 10-42 all-time against SEC schools, including dropping four of five to the Gamecocks.South Florida received a boost by the recent return of sophomore guard Jahmal McMurray, who missed the teams first six games due to an unspecified violation of team rules. McMurray averaged 18.0 points in his first two games, including 20 in Mondays 79-73 overtime victory over Bethune-Cookman.McMurray scored seven of the Bulls 13 points in the overtime session.Perhaps the most pleasing part of the contest was the fact junior forward Bo Zeigler matched his career high of 20 points. Zeigler, who averages 7.3 points, was 10-of-10 shooting in regulation before missing both of his overtime attempts.Not only Bos production but also his energy, fight, and spirit that we needed, Bulls coach Orlando Antigua told reporters. He is just coming back after struggling with a sickness and it was good to see that.Junior guard Geno Thorpe is contributing 13.9 points per game despite making just 37.8 percent of his shots. Freshman forward Tulio Da Silva is averaging 11.5 points and a team-best 8.5 rebounds while sophomore Troy Holston averages 10.7 points.Holston sat out the Bethune-Cookman contest with a left knee injury.Meanwhile, the suspension of Thornwell gave South Carolina sophomore guard PJ Dozier (13.6 average) a chance to step up and he has responded with three consecutive 20-point performances.The first of those outings -- a career-best 21 points -- came with Thornwell on the floor. Martin and the staff then tweaked some of the offensive plays to make sure Dozier was receiving ample opportunity to shoot the ball.Hes starting to spread his wings a little bit, Martin said. So its going to put more responsibility on his plate.Dozier also has racked up 17 steals over the past six games to fuel a defense that allows just 56.8 points per game and limits opponents to 33.8-percent shooting from the field.Senior guard Duane Notice averages 10.7 points but he had just four points on dreadful 1-of-10 shooting in the loss to Seton Hall.That might have been the worst game that he has played, Martin said.Antigua is dealing with his own issues. The encounter against Bethune-Cookman was too close for comfort.In order for us to continue to progress, we have to play a full 40-minute game with intensity, focus and heart, Antigua said. 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They reached the 100-point plateau for the fourth time in five games, bested the visiting Trail Blazers by 34 in the paint and scored 19 of the final 25 points in regulation. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Thursday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Jimmy Garoppolo is listed as doubtful, meaning the Patriots (2-0) could start a rookie quarterback for the first time under Bill Belichick when they play the Houston Texans (2-0). Game starts 8:25 p.m.- CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- With Charlotte in a state of emergency following violent protests over a police shooting, coaches and players discuss whether Sundays Vikings-Panthers game should be moved or postponed.- ATLANTA -- No. 5 Clemson takes on unbeaten Georgia Tech in a prime-time game, needing to avoid an upset to set up a showdown in Death Valley against No. 3 Louisville. Game starts 7:30 p.m.- The Big Ten this year joins the Big 12 and Pac-12 with a nine-game conference schedule; the ACC and SEC play eight league games. Nebraska coach Mike Riley wants Power Five schools to play the same number of league games.- His voice resonating across the seasons and decades, Vin Scully has weathered the ravages of time well. Hes still a remarkable broadcaster at 88, but wants to get out before people start whispering about his age.- CHICAGO -- Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg thinks this edition of the Cubs might be uniquely positioned to succeed where so many others failed.- ARLINGTON, Texas -- Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish are the next two scheduled starters for the Texas Rangers, who are on the verge of their second straight AL West title.dddddddddddd- MIAMI -- NBA players are being urged to reach out to league and union officials to create positive change in communities, a move that comes in response to protests over racial oppression and other matters.- MINNEAPOLIS -- The closer the Minnesota Timberwolves get to training camp next week, the more likely it is they will be without Kevin Garnett. Its unclear if the 40-year-old star will be retiring.- ATLANTA -- Dustin Johnson leads the top 30 players in the FedEx Cup into the final event at the Tour Championship. Johnson is coming off a victory at the BMW Championship.- COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Now that the medals have been won, the U.S. goes after the next big prize. The countrys Olympic leaders want to bring the 2024 Summer Games to Los Angeles.- TORONTO -- The United States scored all of two goals in two World Cup of Hockey games before being eliminated. Hope, however, may be found in Team North America and a wave of promising young Americans.- TORONTO -- Two World Cup of Hockey games: U.S. vs. Czech Republic (8 p.m.) and Finland vs. Russia (3 p.m.).- Stories from selected NHL training camps. ' ' '