If you need a positive out of Saturday's 76-63 loss to Mississippi State on Saturday, take a look at the maturing play of the team's two freshmen - Lakeem Jackson and Ramon Galloway.
Jackson, a freshman who has started every game this season, scored in double figures (10 points) for the third straight game. The forward is averaging 12 points per game in his last three. Ramon Galloway came within one point shy of his career high, scoring 14 points in 30 minutes of play. It was the first time since the Baylor game on Jan. 2 that both players reached double figures.
"We got terrific play from our young kids tonight," said South Carolina head coach Darrin Horn. "Lakeem Jackson - 10 points, leads us in rebounding, no negatives, had two assists. Keep in mind that a lot of times Lakeem is doing that from the power forward position where he's usually giving up 4 to 5 inches and 20 to 30 pounds."
Jackson recorded a career high of 36 minutes played while Galloway played 30 minutes (1 minute shy of his career high).
"To see [Lakeem] do that and see Ramon Galloway fight and compete the way he did were real positives," said Horn. "He did some really good things and didn't bring us any negatives. That's what we're looking for as we move down the stretch."
As their 2010 campaign comes to a close, Galloway spoke about the team coming together to finish on a high note.
"We just want to finish strong," he said. "Go out strong for the seniors and then for the freshmen coming in, show them that's how we play here."
"For our guys coming back [next year], it's about continuing to fight," said Horn. "Everything we do is to move forward for the future."
Key Box Score
The freshmen pair combined for 24 points - their highest combined total in SEC play this season. Their season-high is 30 points (vs. Furman, Dec. 21).
Key Quote
"It really doesn't matter to me about the points, I just worry about winning. I don't care if I play a minute, I just want to win." - Ramon Galloway
Jackson, a freshman who has started every game this season, scored in double figures (10 points) for the third straight game. The forward is averaging 12 points per game in his last three. Ramon Galloway came within one point shy of his career high, scoring 14 points in 30 minutes of play. It was the first time since the Baylor game on Jan. 2 that both players reached double figures.
"We got terrific play from our young kids tonight," said South Carolina head coach Darrin Horn. "Lakeem Jackson - 10 points, leads us in rebounding, no negatives, had two assists. Keep in mind that a lot of times Lakeem is doing that from the power forward position where he's usually giving up 4 to 5 inches and 20 to 30 pounds."
Jackson recorded a career high of 36 minutes played while Galloway played 30 minutes (1 minute shy of his career high).
"To see [Lakeem] do that and see Ramon Galloway fight and compete the way he did were real positives," said Horn. "He did some really good things and didn't bring us any negatives. That's what we're looking for as we move down the stretch."
As their 2010 campaign comes to a close, Galloway spoke about the team coming together to finish on a high note.
"We just want to finish strong," he said. "Go out strong for the seniors and then for the freshmen coming in, show them that's how we play here."
"For our guys coming back [next year], it's about continuing to fight," said Horn. "Everything we do is to move forward for the future."
Key Box Score
| Total FG-FGA | 3 pt FG-FGA | FT-FTA | Rebs | Pts | Assts | TO | Blk | Stl | Min | |
| F Lakeem Jackson | 5-9 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 36 |
| Total FG-FGA | 3 pt FG-FGA | FT-FTA | Rebs | Pts | Assts | TO | Blk | Stl | Min | |
| G Ramon Galloway | 6-15 | 2-11 | 0-0 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 30 |
The freshmen pair combined for 24 points - their highest combined total in SEC play this season. Their season-high is 30 points (vs. Furman, Dec. 21).
Key Quote
"It really doesn't matter to me about the points, I just worry about winning. I don't care if I play a minute, I just want to win." - Ramon Galloway
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