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Gamecocks target Grant Williams, but others step up for UT in 19th straight win

Tennessee's Lamonte Turner shoots a 3-pointer during Wednesday night's 85-73 win against South Carolina at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. Tennessee's Lamonte Turner shoots a 3-pointer during Wednesday night's 85-73 win against South Carolina at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

By Gene Henley February 14, 2019 4 min read

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Streaking Vols

Tennessee's Kyle Alexander scores on a layup during Wednesday night's 85-73 win against South Carolina at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

Tennessee's Jordan Bowden (23) and Jordan Bone get in South Carolina's A.J. Lawson face Wednesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. Also pictured is Tennessee's Grant Williams.

Tennessee's Jordan Bone drives to the basket past South Carolina's Felipe Haase during Wednesday night's SEC matchup at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

Tennessee's Jordan Bowden shoots during the Vols' home win against South Carolina on Wednesday night.

Tennessee's John Fulkerson, left, and Admiral Schofield go after the ball during the Vols' home win against South Carolina on Wednesday night.

Tennessee's Jordan Bone shoots during the Vols' home win against South Carolina on Wednesday night.

Tennessee point guard Jordan Bone gives an air high-five to teammates who aren't there after making a free throw during Wednesday night's game against South Carolina, which the Vols won 85-73.

Tennessee's Jordan Bone drives as teammate Grant Williams sets a screen against South Carolina's Hassani Gravett during Wednesday night's game at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

Tennessee's Lamonte Turner tries to pass under the basket and around South Carolina's Chris Silva on Wednesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

Tennessee's Grant Williams passes against South Carolina on Wednesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. Williams led the Vols with seven assists despite being targeted by the Gamecocks' defense.

Tennessee's Jordan Bowden takes a 3-pointer against South Carolina on Wednesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

Tennessee's Jordan Bowden takes a 3-point shot during Wednesday night's game against South Carolina in Knoxville. The host Vols won 85-73 to run their streak to 19 consecutive victories. They play at No. 5 Kentucky on Saturday night.

Tennessee's Grant Williams pulls up for a jumper against South Carolina on Wednesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

Tennessee's John Fulkerson dunks on an alley-oop pass during Wednesday night's home win against South Carolina.

Tennessee's Kyle Alexander blocks out as he looks for the rebound against South Carolina on Wednesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

Tennessee's Jordan Bowden takes a 3-pointer Wednesday night against South Carolina.

Tennessee's Lamonte Turner passes to point guard Jordan Bone during Wednesday night's home win against South Carolina.

KNOXVILLE – Tennessee gave up 14 3-pointers Wednesday night.

South Carolina held Grant Williams, the Southeastern Conference’s leading scorer this season and the league’s 2018 men’s basketball player of the year, in check.

And it still didn’t matter.

The top-ranked Volunteers had five scorers in double figures and led by double digits for more than 28 minutes in an 85-73 victory over the Gamecocks in front of 19,407 at Thompson-Boling Arena, Tennessee’s 19th consecutive win.

The Vols (23-1, 11-0 Southeastern Conference) will try to extend their program-record winning streak Saturday night at No. 5 Kentucky (20-4, 9-2), which is coming off Tuesday’s 73-71 loss to No. 19 LSU (20-4, 10-1). After that, Tennessee hosts Vanderbilt next Tuesday before visiting LSU on Feb. 23.