South Carolina turned up its defense in a 91-56 rout of South Carolina State Tuesday in Columbia, S.C.

The Gamecocks (9-4) blocked 15 shots and held the visiting Bulldogs to 34 percent shooting. South Carolina jumped out to a 22-point lead at halftime and never looked back en route to improving to 17-0 against South Carolina State.

Four South Carolina players scored in double figures, led by Lakeem Jackson and Brian Richardson, who each had 17. Sam Muldrow added 15 to go along with a team-high six blocks, and Bruce Ellington had 13 for the Gamecocks, who bounced back from Saturday’s 15-point home loss to Boston College.

Darnell Porter led South Carolina State (4-9) with 16 points. The Bulldogs, who have lost four straight, made only 2-of-11 3-point attempts and turned the ball over 18 times.

South Carolina opens SEC play at home against No. 24 Vanderbilt Saturday.