AJ Lawson scored a career high 30 points, and USC clamped down defensively on Texas A&M in the second half holding the Aggies to just six baskets, in a 78-54 win in the Gamecocks’ SEC opener Wednesday night at Colonial Life Arena. USC outscored A&M 45-27 in the second half with the Aggies shooting just 27% over the final 20 minutes.
Lawson scored 19 of his 30 points in the second half including all three of his three-pointers. He finished 10-22 from the floor and 7-8 from the line.
USC led 33-27 at the half, and 46-38 with 14:01 to play. That’s when the Gamecocks went on a 25-4 run for a 71-42 lead with 5:32 left. They hit 10 of 17 shots from the floor during that stretch.
Jermaine Couisnard added 15 points and Wildens Leveque had 10 points and 6 rebounds. The Gamecocks had 17 offensive rebounds leading to 20 second chance points, and they forced 19 turnovers they converted int0 21 points. Jalyn McCreary led the rebounding with 9 boards.
The Gamecocks have won five in a row over the Aggies, and the win was #150 for Frank Martin in this his ninth season as coach of the Gamecocks.
USC is now 3-2 and will play at Ole Miss Saturday.
Gamecocks postgame
Final Game Stats
