Game Site: St. Louis, MO Game Synposis: South Carolina won its 2017-18 SEC Tournament opener in an 85-84 nailbiter over Ole Miss. The Rebels scored the first five points of the game as USC came out of the gates slowly but the Gamecocks took the lead at the 11:12 mark of the first half on a Chris Silva layup and would push the lead as high as nine points in the first half. At the break Carolina lead 38-36 but Ole Miss rallied in the second and took their own lead at the 13:35 mark. Carolina trailed by as much as five before mounting a comeback and taking the lead back on a 3-pointer by Frank Booker midway through the half. The lead would grow as large as eight points and would remain Carolina's through the rest of the game. A 3-pointer by the Rebels' Bruce Stevens at the buzzer made the score look closer. Silva, coming off being named All-SEC and SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, led the way with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He had 20 free throw attempts, tied for the sixth most by a Gamecock in a game. Justin Minaya (16), Maik Kotsar (14), Frank Booker (21) and Wesley Myers (10) also finished in double figures as USC set a season high in points.