COLONIAL LIFE ARENA: Another game against a ranked SEC opponent, another heartbreaking loss for South Carolina. The Gamecocks fought back from a fourteen-point deficit in the second half to force overtime, but again the Gamecocks failed to make the plays that might have led to a win, and 14th ranked Mississippi State escaped with a 65-60 win in Columbia Saturday afternoon.
The Gamecocks are now 0-7 in the SEC, their worst star ever in league play, and the only team without a league win. Five of the losses have come against ranked teams and four have been by five points or less.
USC never could find consistent shooting against the Bulldogs. The Gamecocks made 5-25 shots (20%) in the first half and trailed 28-20. They warmed up to 41% shooting in the second half, but made just one of six shots from the floor in overtime. The Gamecocks matched their second low of 29% shooting, the same mark they had in an earlier loss to Mississippi State.
Despite the shooting woes, the Gamecocks had a chance to win thanks to their late second half rally. Trailing 50-36 with 8:40 left, USC finished regulation with a 19-5 run sparked by Jamarii Thomas who scored nine of his game high 19 points in the comeback.
USC, which never led the in game, finally caught up at 55-55 on a steal and layup by Zachary Davis with :26 on the clock. Mississippi State worked the clock down for the final shot which was a missed contested layup by Josh Hubbard.
In overtime, the game was tied at 57 with 2:04 remaining, State made a pair of free throws and a turnover by Nick Pringle led to two more free throws and a 61-57 Bulldog lead. Thomas made one of two at the line following a State turnover to cut the lead to three with :13 to play.
Davis then came up with another State turnover and fed Collin Murray-Boyles on the fastbreak. He was fouled with seven seconds to go. Murray-Boyles missed the first foul shot, and then the second one intentionally. Nick Pringle grabbed the offensive rebound but his pass went out of bounds for the Gamecocks 19th turnover of the game and their fifth in overtime.
The Bulldogs made a pair of free throws for a 63-58 lead with four seconds to play. Murray-Boyles added a dunk and the Bulldogs had two final free throws to close out the scoring.
Along with the poor shooting, turnovers continued to be a problem for the Gamecocks. Their 19 in this one are their second most of the season. They have had at least 16 turnovers in four straight games.
On the positive side, the Gamecocks were 22-29 from the foul line, and they outrebounded the Bulldogs 45-30 with 21 offensive rebounds they converted into 18 points.
The Gamecocks are 10-10 overall and will play Tuesday night at Georgia.