S. Carolina Calls On Right Man

South Carolina’s Travis Kraft learned something about himself Sunday at Columbia, S.C.

Kraft, a sophomore three-point specialist, didn’t get in until there were 19.6 seconds left. But that was enough for him to make the game-winning basket--estimated at 25 feet--at the buzzer as the Gamecocks, 9-3 overall, opened their Southeastern Conference season with a 69-68 upset victory over the No. 5 Florida Gators.

“Before the game and at halftime, coach [Eddie Fogler] said, ‘Travis, be ready, we may need you,’ ” said Kraft, who is two of nine from long range this season. “When he says that, I’m supposed to be a shooter.”

The Gators (10-2, 0-1 in the SEC) played without injured star Brent Wright. Leading scorer Udonis Haslem was held to four points because of foul trouble. But with a 63-53 lead with 4:49 left, it appeared they would win.

No. 3 Duke 115, Clemson 74--The Atlantic Coast Conference was supposed to be more competitive this season. The No. 3 Blue Devils haven’t gotten the word yet.

The Blue Devils, seeking an unprecedented fifth consecutive ACC regular-season title, routed the Tigers at Durham, N.C., behind 25 points from Carlos Boozer.

The 115 points matched the most Duke (13-1, 2-0 ACC) has scored against Clemson (9-6, 0-2) in 115 meetings. The Blue Devils also got that many in 1955. It also was the most the Tigers have given up in 31 seasons.

OTHER GAMES

Jonathan Beerbohm’s tip-in with 27 seconds left at Miami helped Boston College defeat the Hurricanes, 73-72, for their 11th consecutive victory. The Eagles (11-0, 2-0 Big East) are off to their best start. They went 10-0 to start the 1984-85 season. Miami (8-5, 0-2) led, 72-71, with 1:03 left. . . . Xavier (11-2, 2-0 Atlantic 10) extended its winning streak to six games with an 81-66 victory over La Salle (6-7, 0-2) at Cincinnati.