Jermaine Couisnard led USC with 16 in the loss at Auburn (File/Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA)
USC’s two game SEC winning streak was lost in a barrage of second half shooting by 16th ranked Auburn. The Tigers caught fire with 15 minutes to play and pulled away to an 80-67 win Wednesday night at the Auburn Arena. The Gamecocks drop to 10-8 overall and 2-3 in SEC play.
Keys to USC’s loss to Auburn
The Gamecocks trailed 48-47 with 14:45 to play, but a 24-6 run over the next six minutes put the game away for the Tigers. The Gamecocks went 3-12 from the floor during that stretch.
Auburn hit 10 three-point field goals to USC’s 6, and outscored the Gamecocks from the foul line 18-3. The Gamecocks were 0-4 from the line in the second half.
Freshman Devan Cambridge, who was averaging 3 points per game, came off the bench and blistered the Gamecocks with 10-14 shooting including 6 three-pointers for a career high 26 points.
Jermaine Couisnard continued his strong play for the Gamecocks leading them with 16 points. Justin Minaya had 14 points and AJ Lawson added 11.
Each team had 12 turnovers but Auburn converted the Gamecock miscues to 16 points compared to 9 by USC.
The Gamecocks played without Keyshawn Bryant and Trae Hannibal, both out with injuries.
USC returns home Saturday night to face Vanderbilt at 8:00 PM. The Commodores are winless in SEC play thus far.
