South Carolina scratched out a tighter than expected 73-69 win over Charleston Southern Saturday night at the Colonial Life Arena to remain unbeaten at home this season. This was the Gamecocks closest home win thus far, and the Bucs, who went through a coaching change earlier in the month, took them to the wire with a spirited effort.
The Gamecocks had to shoot 65% in the first half to take a three-point lead into the locker room at 39-36. That’s because the Bucs nearly matched them with a 55% shooting performance. Both teams cooled off in the second half, and the Gamecocks couldn’t put the Bucs away until the final minutes.
The game was tied 53-53 with ten minutes left. The Gamecocks then scored the next six points for a 59-53 lead. The Bucs got as close as a point at 61-60 before USC went on a 9-2 run to lead by eight 70-62 with 1:39 to play. Meechie Johnson delivered seven of those points. The Bucs would get no closer than four points the rest of the way.
USC, which had been one of the nation’s best three-point shooting team, made just one of 15 three-point shots in the second half, and six for 25 for the game. Overall, in the second half, the Gamecocks shot 32% to the Bucs 41%.
With all those long misses, the Gamecocks were able to snag 15 offensive rebounds they converted into 19 points. They also won in the paint 36-68.
BJ Mack led the Gamecocks with 16 points. Johnson added 15 points, six rebounds and two assists. Taje’ Kelly led the Bucs with 22 points and seven rebounds.
The Gamecocks are 9-1 and will continue their four game homestand to close out the calendar year with a game against Winthrop Tuesday night. The Bucs are 3-7.