South Carolina played arguably their best overall game of the season Saturday afternoon in defeating Arkansas in Fayetteville 77-64 to break a three-game losing streak to the Razorbacks. The Gamecocks scored the first five points of the game and never trailed in earning their second SEC road win of the season.
This was a complete team performance for USC. The Gamecocks shot 52% from the floor. They made nine of 18 three-pointers after making just over 26% of their threes in their first four SEC games. They were 12 of 17 from the line. Every Gamecock who played scored, and they had four in double figures. They had 20 assists on their 28 baskets.
Defensively, the Gamecocks held Arkansas to 38% shooting. A team that was averaging 27 free throws per game coming in went to the line just 16 times. Only one Arkansas player reached double figures. The Hogs entered the game leading the nation in blocked shots at nearly seven per game, but they only got to three against the Gamecocks.
USC led 39-27 at the half as BJ Mack knocked down three of the team’s five three-pointers in the first twenty minutes. The Hogs made just one serious run for the lead in the second half. Back-to-back three-pointers by Tramon Mark trimmed a 13-point lead to seven at 49-42 with 12:54 to play.
What followed, however, probably was the play of the game for USC. Ta’lon Cooper worked himself free at the top of the key and nailed a three pointer to make it a 52-42 game. That sparked a 13-1 run that put USC up 62-43 with 10:09 left.
From there, the game was all about time management, smart offense and clean defense. The Gamecocks did well in all three and their lead never got below 13 points. They made six of their final seven shots, had just one turnover and committed just one foul over the final five minutes of the game.
Mack led USC with 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Zachary Davis, starting for the injured Myles Stute, had a season high 12 points.
The Gamecocks are 15-3 overall and 3-2 in the SEC. The Razorbacks fall to 10-8 and 1-4 in the league. USC will host Kentucky Tuesday night.