South Carolina overcame an early scoring drought and 24 turnovers en route to a 75-64 victory over Western Kentucky in the consolation game at the Asheville Championship, Sunday. The Gamecocks held the Hilltoppers to 38% shooting from the field and 25% from the 3-point line.
The scoring punch came from three guards: Freshman Devin Carter (16 points, 8-8 free throws, 8 rebounds, 4 assists), Jermaine Couisnard (16 points) and James Reese V (14 points, 4-9 3-pointers). SC needed Couisnard’s offensive efficiency as the redshirt junior hit on five of his nine shots but could have used better decision-making. Couisnard turned it over nine times to just one assist. Behind Carter’s outburst, SC held a 26-5 advantage in bench scoring.
The Gamecocks (2-1) continue to find success with their superior length and athleticism, outrebounding the Hilltoppers 46-28. Wildens Leveque led the way with 11 boards to go with eight points.
South Carolina returns to action with a home game against UAB at 7 p.m., Thursday.
