COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina coach Darrin Horn always thought Sam Muldrow would be a factor for the Gamecocks this year. But between academics and injuries, Horn didn’t know when.

The first-year coach is glad is a healthier Muldrow is showing his skills during Southeastern Conference season.

Muldrow had a career high 18 points and the Gamecocks moved into second place in the SEC Eastern Division with a 79-68 victory over Georgia on Saturday.

"I think Sam is a guy that we thought would come in and impact things," Horn said. "He’s an athletic guy. He plays hard and he affects things."

Muldrow certainly did that against the Bulldogs (9-14, 0-8 SEC), who lost their 10th straight game.

Georgia got the game’s first bucket, then the Gamecocks went on a 21-3 run. South Carolina led 41-25 at halftime and by as many as 23 in the second half.

Muldrow, who missed the entire nonconference portion of the season because of academic issues and an elbow injury, was 7-of-9 from the field for the Gamecocks.

Mike Holmes and Zam Fredrick added 13 points apiece while Dominique Archie had 12.

With a loss by Tennessee earlier, South Carolina slipped into second in the division. The Gamecocks (17-5, 6-3) improved to 5-0 at home in the SEC for the

And they did it in front of a sold-out crowd of 18,000 at the Colonial Life Arena, the Gamecocks first full house of the season.

A few more games like this and it might not be the last.

"I think from a basketball standpoint, when you look at the stretch that we had, the way our guys have just continued to respond to the challenges," Horn said.

"It’s probably as good a team effort in terms of balance and sharing the basketball," Horn said. "I’m really proud of this team."

Georgia’s losing streak is its longest since 1972-73.

Terrance Woodbury paced the Bulldogs with 20 points.