Carolina’s run towards the NIT Championship continued as they defeated the Georgetown Hoyas 69-66 to advance to Madison Square Garden and the semifinals.

The crowd of 10,662 at the Colonial Center was witness to a great game, but one which Carolina trailed 34-26 at halftime. However, USC’s emotional leader, Carlos Powell playing his final game at the Colonial Center, led a nice comeback. Powell, who led the Gamecocks with 21 points, and sophomore guard Tre Kelley sparked a 13-0 Carolina run that the Hoyas never recovered from. The Gamecocks held off Georgetown down the stretch and won at home as they had done 13 of 16 times on the season.

Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” blared as the team left the floor and headed on to The Big Apple to face Maryland in “final four” of the NIT.

Compiled by Don Turner