Spring Break
Downey clutch for Carolina
Matt Jones
Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: Sports
Devan Downey almost became an Arkansas Razorback three years ago. Instead, then-Arkansas coach Stan Heath passed on the 5-foot-9 sharp-shooter for Sean McCurdy.
Fast forward to Wednesday night: McCurdy had transferred to William & Mary while Downey's 28 points and clutch shots late helped push South Carolina past Arkansas 70-66.
"He played fantastic," Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. "We knew coming through the door this guy was un-guardable by yourself. We hoped we could extend the floor a little bit and wear him down over a period of time.
"We hoped we would be dealing with a different guy at the end of the game and we weren't. He made all his free throws and hit some key shots."
Downey found different ways to torture the Razorbacks throughout the night. Along with tying Sonny Weems for the game-high scoring effort, the sophomore-transfer from Cincinnati hit 9-of-11 free throws - including two in the final seconds to extend South Carolina's lead to two possessions - had six steals and hit seemingly every tough shot his teammates needed him to hit.
"If you want to be a leader and the go-to guy that's your job," Downey said of his late heroics. "When it's in the crunch and the ball is in your hands, you've got to make a play. I had to make those free throws down the stretch. That's my job."
Downey played all 40 minutes for the Gamecocks, who posted their first win in the Southeastern Conference and snapped a three-game losing streak while handing Arkansas its first home loss of the season. Downey said the lack of respect given to his team motivated him to play well.
"We're tired of people telling us what can do and what we can't…all this negative," Downey said. "We just were asked to go out and forget what everybody is saying…Let's go out and play for the right reasons, and that's your brothers in the locker room. I think we bonded and just went out and played hard."
South Carolina entered the game with a 0-2 mark in the SEC including an 80-56 weekend loss at home to Tennessee.
Fast forward to Wednesday night: McCurdy had transferred to William & Mary while Downey's 28 points and clutch shots late helped push South Carolina past Arkansas 70-66.
"He played fantastic," Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said. "We knew coming through the door this guy was un-guardable by yourself. We hoped we could extend the floor a little bit and wear him down over a period of time.
"We hoped we would be dealing with a different guy at the end of the game and we weren't. He made all his free throws and hit some key shots."
Downey found different ways to torture the Razorbacks throughout the night. Along with tying Sonny Weems for the game-high scoring effort, the sophomore-transfer from Cincinnati hit 9-of-11 free throws - including two in the final seconds to extend South Carolina's lead to two possessions - had six steals and hit seemingly every tough shot his teammates needed him to hit.
"If you want to be a leader and the go-to guy that's your job," Downey said of his late heroics. "When it's in the crunch and the ball is in your hands, you've got to make a play. I had to make those free throws down the stretch. That's my job."
Downey played all 40 minutes for the Gamecocks, who posted their first win in the Southeastern Conference and snapped a three-game losing streak while handing Arkansas its first home loss of the season. Downey said the lack of respect given to his team motivated him to play well.
"We're tired of people telling us what can do and what we can't…all this negative," Downey said. "We just were asked to go out and forget what everybody is saying…Let's go out and play for the right reasons, and that's your brothers in the locker room. I think we bonded and just went out and played hard."
South Carolina entered the game with a 0-2 mark in the SEC including an 80-56 weekend loss at home to Tennessee.
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