South Carolina is playing its best basketball of the season just in time for Christmas. The Gamecocks hammered Radford 74-48 Sunday afternoon at the Colonial Life Arena for their sixth straight win. They are 9-3 as they go into the holiday time out. Their next outing will be against Presbyterian on December 30th at the CLA.
For a half, the Gamecocks had their hands full with the visitors from the Big South Conference. The Highlanders led 36-30 at the half. But in the second half, they couldn’t score. Radford was 5-24 from the floor over the final 20 minutes, and the Gamecocks outscored them in the second half 44-12.
Radford was still leading 42-41 with over 13 minutes to play when the Gamecocks put together a 33-6 run to the finish line. The Highlander made just two of their final 15 field goal attempts while the Gamecocks made nien of their last 20 including four three-pointers.
The Gamecocks held Radford to 35% shooting for the game, which was crucial since they shot only 39% from the floor themselves. However, they outscored the Highlanders 27-6 from three-point land and made 25-27 free throws.
Five Gamecocks were perfect from the charity stripe with Nick Pringle going 10-10. He also was 1-1 from the floor making for a perfect shooting day for the transfer from Alabama.
Jamarii Thomas had another good offensive outing and led the Gamecocks with 18 points. He hit four three-pointers and was 4-4 from the line. Collin Murray-Boyles had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Pringle finished with 12 points and eight boards.