time,?filling in for the U.S. tennis team after?Bob and Mike Bryan decided to no defend their Olympic doubles title in Rio de Janeiro, citing health concerns.The U.S. Tennis Association said Sunday that Ram will

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Sindarius Thornwell doesnt feel like hes starting from zero, despite a South Carolina roster filled with newcomers.Thornwell, a senior, scored 20 points including four 3-pointers to lead the Gamecocks to an 81-49 victory over Holy Cross on Sunday night.Thornwell comes off a 25-win season with South Carolina that featured a starting lineup of upperclassmen. This time, the Gamecocks have seven first-time players to mix into games. So far, so good, Thornwell says.Its been good, he said. Everybody came in focused.South Carolina played a dozen people, 10 of them getting 10 minutes or more. Plan on it being the norm this season, according to South Carolina coach Frank Martin. This team has depth like I havent had since Ive been here, he said.That showed against Holy Cross (0-1), which was eventually worn down by South Carolinas height and athleticism.The Crusaders, who played in the NCAA Tournament last March, used its Princeton-style offense -- coach Bill Carmody used to coach at the Ivy League school -- of cuts and backdoor layups to get within 29-24 on Matt Huseks basket with 7:09 left in the half. Thats when the Gamecocks took off on a 15-5 run over the next six minutes to push its lead to 44-29. Thornwell opened the surge with a basket and closed it with a 3-pointer.We needed that momentum shift, Gamecocks guard PJ Dozier said.The Crusaders never got closer than 12 points the rest of the way.I dont like losing by 30, Carmody said. Its hard to sit here and call it part of process. Our guys hurt after losing this one.Dozier had 15 points for South Carolina, which opened 2-0 for a second straight season and the third time in Martins five years.Robert Champion led Holy Cross with 18 points.BIG PICTUREHoly Cross stunned college basketball last March, winning the Patriot League tournament and earning an automatic NCAA bid despite a 10-19 regular season. The Crusaders went on to a First Four matchup win over Southern for the schools first Big Dance win since 1953. Holy Cross will try and build on that success with five of their top six scorers returning from a year ago.South Carolina looked athletic and active in putting away Holy Cross over the final 30 minutes. The trick for coach Frank Martin will be maintaining that level while blending the young players into the mix. Theyll get that chance the next 10 days with three more games, all at home.FELDER DEBUTSouth Carolina guard Rakym Felder saw his first college action, less than a month after he was arrested for assault among other charges. Felder played 14 minutes and finished with eight points, swishing both of his three-point attempts. Martin said he had talked with athletic director Ray Tanner, vouching for Felders character. Ra Felder played because its my decision that he has accepted everything that came his way for his mistake, Martin said.Hes a beautiful kid, not a good kid, a beautiful kid, Martin continued.CHANGING STYLESMartin was concerned that his team would not make the necessary defensive adjustments in going from Louisiana Techs more up-tempo offense to Holy Cross deliberate attack. He neednt have worried. The Gamecocks held Holy Cross under 40-percent shooting for the game and to just 25 percent (5 of 20) from behind the arc.HOT SHOOTINGThe Gamecocks shot 58.7 percent, going 27 of 46 from the field. That touch continued from way outside and at the line: South Carolina made 12 of its 24 3-pointers and 15 of 16 foul shots.UP NEXTHoly Cross travels to play its only other regular-season Power 5 opponent at Syracuse on Tuesday night.South Carolina continues its five-game home stretch to start the season, facing Monmouth on Tuesday night.---Follow Pete Iacobelli at http://twitter.com/PIacobellil-AP---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org Cheap Vans Shoes . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. Vans Sk8 Hi Clearance http://www.vansshoesclearancesale.com/ . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. Vans Old Skool Wholesale . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Vans Shoes Clearance Sale . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Rajeev Ram will be heading to the Olympics for the first time,?filling in for the U.S. tennis team after?Bob and Mike Bryan decided to no defend their Olympic doubles title in Rio de Janeiro, citing health concerns.The U.S. Tennis Association said Sunday that Ram will play doubles in Rio de Janeiro with Brian Baker.The American twins announced their withdrawal on their Facebook page Saturday, saying that as husbands and fathers, our familys health is now our top priority. They didnt mention the Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects.The Bryans won gold at the 2012 London Gaames.dddddddddddd. They form the No. 2 doubles team and have won 16 Grand Slam title, a mens tennis record.Ram, who is from Denver, owns nine ATP career doubles titles.Americans John Isner and Sam Querrey also are skipping the Rio Olympics, citing scheduling issues.Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic, Tomas Berdych and Simona Halep are among those withdrawing from Rio because of concerns about Zika.Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.? ' ' '