Bruce Ellington’s first Southeastern Conference game was a memorable one.

Ellington scored 22 points and South Carolina rallied from a double-digit deficit to knock off No. 24 Vanderbilt, 83-75, in the SEC opener for both teams.

A freshman guard, Ellington entered the game leading the Gamecocks in scoring at 14.2 points. He is the only South Carolina player averaging in double figures, but he got plenty of help against the Commodores.

Ellington scored 17 of his 22 points in second half and overtime as South Carolina (10-4, 1-0 SEC) rallied from a 14-point deficit. Sam Muldrow had a huge game inside to compliment Ellington, as he had 16 points, 14 rebounds and a career-high 10 blocks.

Vanderbilt (11-3, 0-1) entered Saturday having won nine of its last 10 and looked like it was on its way to another win but just got outworked by South Carolina in some key stretches in the second half and overtime.

John Jenkins scored 27 points and added five rebounds for the Commodores.