KNOXVILLE - Scotty Hopson scored 23 points as Tennessee survived sloppy play to beat South Carolina 73-67 on Wednesday night.
The victory ended a three-game losing skid for Tennessee (16-10, 6-5 Southeastern Conference) and extended the Volunteers' winning streak over the Gamecocks to eight straight.
Kenny Hall tipped in a missed layup by Melvin Goins to give the Vols a 66-53 lead with 3:05 left. Hall then fouled Malik Cooke at the other end as he hit a layup. Cooke hit the ensuing free throw and followed up a Tennessee turnover with a 3-pointer as part of an 8-0 run that left the Vols with a 66-61 lead with a minute remaining.
The Vols went 7 of 8 from the free-throw line in the final minute of the game to seal the victory.
Cooke scored 22 points for the Gamecocks (13-11, 4-7), who lost their fourth straight to remain in last place in the SEC East.