Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Sindarius Thornwell scored a game-high 18 points and handed out six assists as the South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Missouri Tigers, 63-54, in the first round of the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena.

Michael Carrera accounted for 12 points and six rebounds for the 11th-seeded Gamecocks (16-15) who now move on to face sixth-seeded Ole Miss in the second round of the tourney on Thursday.

The 14th-seeded Tigers (9-23) were led by Montaque Gill-Caesar delivered 10 points off the bench and Johnathan Williams came within a point of a double- double as he cleared a game-high 11 rebounds in defeat.

Both sides made a total of just 10 field goals in the first half, but thanks to a trio of 3-pointers and 7-of-8 shooting at the free-throw line, USC managed to post a 30-24 advantage at the break.

In the second half Missouri converted only eight baskets and was 2-of-8 on the perimeter, en route to the nine-point setback.

The Tigers, who were only 4-of-16 on the outside, also turned the ball over 16 times, which the Gamecocks traded in for 20 points.