Page leads South Carolina past Morgan State 87-71

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Senior guard LaShay Page scored 20 points to lead South Carolina to an 87-71 victory over Morgan State on Friday night.

Justin Black led Morgan State (1-2) with 20 points.

Morgan State got off to a fast start and led by as many as seven points in the first half until the Gamecocks came back and took the lead 22-20 with 9:10 to play on a layup by Eric Smith.

It proved to be the only lead change of the game.

South Carolina (2-0) led by as many as 11 points in the first half and by a 45-41 margin at halftime.

The Bears entered Friday night's game coming off back to back losses to Old Dominion and Holy Cross after opening the season with a 71-59 victory over Texas-San Antonio.

The Gamecocks were playing without starting forward Michael Carrera, who missed the game because of a concussion.

Updated November 16, 2012