COLUMBIA, S.C. _ The script came with the same setting, a similar opponent and some familiar leading men.
Colonial Life Arena turned into a madhouse once again Saturday, 18,000-strong trying to will South Carolina to a second straight win over a Top 25 opponent.
But No. 21 Tennessee, learning from Kentucky's faults four days earlier, wasn't into a sequel.
The Volunteers, unlike the Wildcats, held it together when South Carolina made its second half push and escaped with a 70-63 victory.
The Gamecocks (12-7, 3-4 SEC) never led after the early stages of the first half. A Maik Kotsar jump-hook tied the game at 57 with 6:26 to play, but the Volunteers immediately responded on the other end with two Lamonte Turner free throws. Turner got to the line because of Chris Silva's fourth foul.
Silva, the 27-point star against UK, was limited by whistles, an old habit that he managed to beat in the two previous games.
Carolina had to find offense elsewhere.
Justin Minaya, with 13 of his 16 points in the first half, helped. As did Wes Myers, who scored 15 of his 16 points in the second half.
Two Hassani Gravett free throws made it a 59-all game with 5:31 left. Tennessee responded then with a 5-0 spurt.
Silva missed consecutive free throws that would have tied the game at 64.
Myers missed a left wing 3 with under 40 seconds left that would have tied the game at 66.
South Carolina returns to action Wednesday at Florida.
