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LSU freshman Jarrell Martin gave the Tigers the spark they needed off the bench in a 71-68 win against South Carolina today. (Courtesy of Louisiana State University)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) --Freshman Jarrell Martin has been struggling lately, so LSU coach Johnny Jonesdecided he might be better off coming off the bench.

Theswitch immediately paid off as the Tigers (10-4, 1-1 Southeastern Conference)pulled out of a two-game slide with a 71-68 win over South Carolina (7-8, 0-2)on Saturday.

Jonesdidn't bring in Martin until the 12-minute mark of the first half. But he hadan immediate impact, scoring eight of LSU's next 11 points as the Tigersstarters struggled.

"Coachsaid he wanted to try something new and everything. I was with it. Whatever isbest for the team. Coming off the bench, I felt real relaxed," Martinsaid.

Martinended up on the bench as LSU was trying to break a two-game losing streak.Martin scored eight in a loss to Rhode Island, then had just five points on2-of-8 shooting in Tuesday's 68-50 loss to Tennessee. On Saturday, he made fiveof his six shots from the field and seven of eight free throws. He also had sixrebounds.

TheTigers didn't want to start SEC play 0-2 in a season where they were picked tofinish fourth in the league. Jones brought the team together after the 18-pointloss and told them how quickly things can fall apart.

"Itwasn't too much they had to do different. Just understand how important itwas," Jones said.

LSUdidn't jump on South Carolina immediately. The Gamecocks hung around, whileMartin made sure the Tigers didn't fall in a hole. But LSU stars Jordan Mickeyand Johnny O'Bryant IIIeventually came around. They would each finish with 13 points.

Mickey sank a jumper with thegame tied at 42 with 12 minutes left. The Tigers scored on their next fourpossessions, with O'Bryant and Mickeyeachhitting two buckets to put LSU ahead 52-45. The Tigers finished the 22-8 runwith a 3-pointer from Andre Stringer and a free throw from Martin to lead 64-50with 5:45 left.

South Carolina would scorestraight points to cut the Tigers lead to 64-59 with 2:11 to go. But LSU hitseven of 12 free throws down the stretch, forced a couple of turnovers and gotan offensive rebound to hang on. Brenton Williams' 3-pointer at the buzzer forthe Gamecocks made the score look closer than it was.

SouthCarolina has lost its first two SEC games for the third straight season.Freshman Sindarius Thornwell led the Gamecocks with 25 points. But SouthCarolina coach Frank Martin noted his starting frontcourt combined for justfour points and starting point guard Thornwell was the leading rebounder withfive boards.

"Ourinside play is atrocious. We got outplayed at the rim by a freshman,"Frank Martin said.

Thecoach said he planned to go to church Sunday and ask for strength and patience.

"Wemissed some shots, but we cannot get out-toughed, and we got out-toughed today,"he said.

Williamsscored 11, but missed a free throw, ending his nation-leading streak at 50 foulshots in a row.

It wasa sloppy game as each team turned the ball over 19 times. South Carolina shot41.7 percent (20 of 48), while LSU shot 39.3 percent (22 of 56). But the Tigerswon the game on the boards, pulling down 10 more rebounds.

"Shotsdidn't go, but I thought we were able to make it up on the other end of thefloor with hustle, defense and getting stops when we needed them," Jonessaid.