COLUMBIA, S.C., March 9 (UPI) -- Jarvis Hayes had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Steve Thomas added 14 and 11 Sunday as the No. 25 Georgia Bulldogs concluded their regular season with a 60-55 overtime victory over Southeastern Conference foe South Carolina.
Georgia (19-8, 11-5 SEC East) has won two of three games since the allegations by former Bulldog Tony Cole became public, including Tuesday's triumph over No. 3 Florida. Among the accusations are that Cole received money from assistant coach Jim Harrick Jr., who was dismissed earlier this week.
"We have put this behind us and we are focusing on nothing but basketball," said Georgia Coach Jim Harrick. "It is kind of a shame that this has happened. This team is a great group of guys. This situation has bonded them."
The Bulldogs trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half but put together a big run with starting guard Ezra Williams on the bench. Georgia improved to 3-0 in overtime this season and 13-23 all time in Columbia.
"It was a disappointing loss," said South Carolina Coach Dave Odom. "It was a great effort. We executed well and we expected to win. It certainly wasn't for lack of opportunities. Maybe we're not at the point yet where we can cash in on something like this."
Chris Warren scored 14 points and fellow senior Tony Kitchings added 10 points and 13 rebounds in their final game at the Carolina Center for South Carolina (12-15, 5-11), which has lost four of its last five games and fell to 0-7 against ranked opponents this season.
The game had no impact on the conference standings. Georgia will meet Arkansas in the first round of the SEC tournament, while South Carolina will face Alabama.
"You are going to need some bodies and legs if you are going to play four nights in a row," Harrick said about the SEC Tournament. "I think that (the format) is interesting. I think that it is something the conference needs to take a look at. We have the third-best record in the league, yet we do not get a first-round bye. Mississippi State is 9-7 in conference play and they get a first-round bye."
Chris Daniels had 10 points and seven rebounds for Georgia, which shot just 34 percent (21-of-62). Williams and backcourt mate Rashad Wright combined to make just 4-of-19 shots.
