Gamecocks’ Win Changes Pecking Order In Sec

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BJ McKie scored 22 points and Larry Davis added 20 as the sixth-ranked Gamecocks claimed their first SEC title, defeating No. 3 Kentucky 72-66 Sunday in Lexington, Ky., to end the Wildcats’ 27-game home winning streak.

South Carolina (23-6, 15-1), completing a regular-season sweep of the Wildcats, were 33 of 44 from the free-throw line and held Kentucky to a season-low 32 percent shooting (23 of 71). In the first meeting at South Carolina on Feb. 4, the Gamecocks won 84-79 in overtime.

(1) Kansas 85, Nebraska 65

At Lincoln, Neb., Raef LaFrentz scored 23 points as the Jayhawks (29-1, 15-1 Big 12) ended a remarkable regular season by handing the Cornhuskers (16-13, 7-9) a season-worst whipping.

(8) North Carolina 91, (7) Duke 85

At Chapel Hill, N.C., Antawn Jamison scored 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Tar Heels (21-6, 11-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) to a victory over the Blue Devils (23-7, 12-4).

(14) Xavier 81, Virginia Tech 72

At Blacksburg, Va., Lenny Brown scored 18 points and Torraye Braggs had 17 as the Musketeers (22-4, 13-3 Atlantic 10) ruined the final home game of Bill Foster’s 30-year coaching career with a win over the Hokies (14-15, 7-9).

Virginia 81, (16) Maryland 74

At Charlottesville, Va., the Cavaliers (18-11, 7-9 ACC) went on a 29-11 second-half run to beat the Terrapins (20-9, 9-7).

(21) Illinois 70, (24) Michigan 51

At Champaign, Ill., Kiwane Garris scored 29 points to lead the Illini (20-8, 10-6 Big Ten) over the Wolverines (17-11, 7-9).

Tenn.-Chat. 71, Marshall 70 (OT)

At Greensboro, N.C., Chris Mims put in a follow shot with 3 seconds left in overtime and the Moccasins (22-10) beat the Thundering Herd (20-9) to win the Southern Conference title and a spot in the NCAA tournament.