Trevon Brazile had 16 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, Johnell Davis scored six key points in the final 40 seconds and No. 9 seed Arkansas nearly blew a 20-point lead before holding off No. 16 seed South Carolina 72-68 to begin the SEC Tournament.

Trevon Brazile scored 16 points Wednesday and Jonas Aidoo added a double-double as No. 9 seed Arkansas built a 20-point lead, then barely held on to eliminate 16th-seeded South Carolina 72-68 in the first round of the Southeastern Conference tournament in Nashville.

Ninth-seeded Arkansas held on to beat 16th-seeded South Carolina 72-68 Wednesday in the SEC tournament after nearly losing a 20-point lead.

The University of Arkansas men’s basketball team survived and advanced Wednesday at the SEC Tournament. Eleven days after an embarrassing loss at South Carolina, the Razorbacks nearly blew a 20-point lead against the Gamecocks but held on for a 72-68 first-round victory at Bridgestone Arena.