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South Carolina stuns Baylor on Frederick's late runner

Jan 3, 2009 - 3:51 AM WACO, Texas (Ticker) -- Less than a year into his new job at South Carolina, Darrin Horn saw his preaching put into practice.

The result was a stunning win over one of the hottest teams in the country.

Zam Fredrick sank a short runner with 5.1 seconds remaining Friday, lifting the Gamecocks to an 85-84 upset of 20th-ranked Baylor.

LaceDarius Dunn made two free throws with 13 seconds left to give Baylor (12-2) an 84-83 lead.

But after calling a timeout, South Carolina got the ball to Fredrick, who drove inside the paint before banking a shot over a defender to give the Gamecocks the lead for good.

"(Fredrick) just went and made a play," said Horn, who was hired as South Carolina's coach last April following five seasons at Western Kentucky. "That is our style of play. That is something we have been preaching since we got here in April as a staff.

"It is something our team has been learning to do, and it was great to see it come to fruition on such a big play."

Fredrick finished with 19 points for the Gamecocks (10-2), who erased a 10-point second-half deficit to end the Bears' six-game winning streak.

"Baylor is a terrific team, this is a big win for us," Horn said. "They are one of the most talented teams in the country, so we are really proud of our team. We are really proud to get a win on the road."

Devan Downey scored 19 of his 23 points in the second half to pace South Carolina, which rebounded nicely from Tuesday's 98-87 loss to rival Clemson.

"I would not trade these two (Fredrick and Downey) for anybody in the country," Horn said. "They bring it every day, they have huge hearts and they are the guys who made the plays for us down the stretch on the offensive end."

Baylor head coach Scott Drew also was impressed by Downey, who finished 10-of-19 from the floor and also had eight assists.

"Downey is a great player," Drew said. "He had 37 (points) against Clemson. He controlled everything and created not only for himself but he had eight assists and one turnover."

Baylor's Curtis Jerrells drilled a jumper with just over a minute remaining to forge an 82-82 tie. But on the ensuing possession, Jerrells fouled Brandis Raley-Ross, who made 1-of-2 free throws to give South Carolina an 83-82 lead.

After failing to score on their next possession, the Bears capitalized on a crucial mistake by Evaldas Baniulis, who traveled after receiving an in-bounds pass.

After Baylor's Tweety Carter missed a jumper, Dunn corralled the offensive rebounds and was fouled by Mike Holmes. Saddled by foul trouble throughout the contest, Dunn calmly made both free throws to make it 84-83.

That set the stage for Fredrick, who in-bounded the ball to Holmes before getting it back outside the arc and banking the game-winner.

"I think what everybody just saw was a terrific college basketball game," Horn said. "It had a March feel to it; two teams fighting. Literally could have gone either way at the end. We are really fortunate that we were able to come out on top."

Holmes scored 11 points while Raley-Ross and Dominique Archie added 10 apiece for the Gamecocks, who shot 54 percent (34-of-63) from the floor.

Jerrells scored 23 points, Carter chipped in 18 and Kevin Rogers finished with 14 and 13 rebounds for Baylor, which lost despite enjoying a 43-30 edge on the glass.

Facing a 46-36 deficit early in the second half, South Carolina reeled off a 27-9 run capped by Baniulis' 3-pointer that gave the Gamecocks a 63-55 lead with 8:35 remaining.

"In the second half when we had the lead, they were getting a lot of easy buckets in the paint," said Baylor's Henry Dugat, who had 16 points. "That breaks down defenses when a guy (Downey) can get in the paint and create for himself and others on his team.

"It made it a lot easier for them to get back into the game."