COLONIAL LIFE ARENA: South Carolina shot 68% in the second half (17-25) to overcome a sluggish first half, in which they trailed by 11 points, and went on to defeat East Carolina 75-68 Saturday afternoon in Columbia. The Gamecocks third straight win improved their record to 6-3.
The Pirates owned most of the first half though the Gamecocks started coming to life after falling behind by double-digits at 18-7 with 8:37 left in the half. The Gamecocks were able to cut the deficit to five at the half 32-27 by hitting six of their last eight shots
They kept it up to start the second half making 11 of their first 14 shots. Collin Murray-Boyles had three early layups and Jamari Thomas hit a pair of threes as the Gamecocks reeled off a 17-0 run to 44-34 lead with 13:43 to play. The Pirates got back to within five at 45-40 before USC went on a 17-5 for their largest lead of the game 62-45 with 8:02 left. They maintained a double digit lead until a late three by ECU accounted for the final seven point margin.
Murray-Boyles made all ten of his shots and finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds. But it was Thomas, with five three-pointers, who led USC in scoring with 22 points. The Gamecocks hit a dozen threes and finished with a 54% shooting day overall.
The Gamecocks are off until next Saturday when they host Upstate.
Lamont Paris postgame
Final Stats
