In a career game for Kentucky guard Ramel Bradley, his flashiest play of all was an errant, behind-the-back pass that sailed far wide of Derrick Jasper, right into the Wildcats' bench.

Even Bradley acknowledged it's not something he would have tried earlier in the year when he was still getting used to his often stern new coach, Billy Gillispie.

"I'd have followed (the ball) right to the bench and been sitting the whole time," Bradley said.

Instead, Bradley played every second of Kentucky's 78-70 victory over South Carolina Saturday in Lexington. The Wildcats (9-9, 3-2 SEC) badly needed him too, and his 26-point, 10-rebound effort.

Behind their spirited senior leader, the Wildcats returned to the .500 mark, and combined with Tuesday's upset of No. 3 Tennessee, have won consecutive games for the first time since November.

Gillispie used some rare superlatives to describe Bradley. The coach didn't even mind the flashy pass attempt, although he did question the timing somewhat.

"He has been fantastic, and he has been getting better," Gillispie said. "That is what makes me very proud to watch him play every single second of every single play in the game and in practice. He means so much to us, and he has been awesome."

Although the Gamecocks (9-10, 1-4) knocked down 12 3-pointers - tying a season high in the conference with Tennessee and Mississippi State - Bradley had the accuracy advantage. He was a perfect 5-for-5 from long-range, one shy of his career high.

Mississippi St. 88, Ole Miss 68: Jarvis Varnado blocked the first shot, Charles Rhodes scored 26 points and SEC-leading Bulldogs pushed around the No. 17 Rebels in a home upset that was never really competitive.

The Bulldogs (14-5, 5-0 SEC) have won nine straight overall and are on a 5-0 run to start the conference schedule. They held the Rebels (15-3, 2-3) 16 points below their average and sent them to their third straight road loss. Ole Miss is 2-3 after starting the season with a school-record 13 consecutive wins.

Alabama 97, Auburn 77: Five players scored in double figures and the Tide (12-8, 1-4) broke the game open late in the first half in front of an enthusiastic sellout home crowd.

The win broke a two-game Auburn winning streak in the in-state rivalry.

"We deserve a smile right now. We have had a tough couple of games and we needed a change," Alabama coach Mark Gottfried said.

Richard Hendrix was 8-11 from the field to lead a hot Alabama team that shot 54 percent from the field. Brandon Hollinger had 18 points on six 3-pointers for Alabama, while Alonzo Gee and freshman point guard Rico Pickett each had 17 and Mykal Riley 16.

Auburn (12-6, 2-3) was led by Quan Prowell with 22 points.

Arkansas 68, LSU 52: Sonny Weems had 21 points, including five 3-pointers, and Patrick Beverley had 14 points and 15 rebounds as the visiting Razorbacks kept the Tigers winless in the SEC.

Beverley, who had a total of 20 points in the last three Arkansas games, made four field goals, all 3-pointers. Gary Ervin had 10 points and five assists for the Razorbacks (14-5, 3-2 SEC).

Marcus Thornton led the Tigers (7-12, 0-5) with 20 points. Anthony Randolph added 14.

LSU hit only 29 percent of its field goal attempts as it lost its eighth game in a row and lost its first five SEC games for the first time since 1972.

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