South Carolina got whipped on the backboards by 19, including 15 on the offensive glass that were turned into 23 points, as the Gamecocks dropped a 79-72 decision to Butler Friday afternoon in the first game of the Greenbrier Tip-Off in West Virginia. It’s the first loss of the season for USC after four wins.
Butler has now outrebounded all five of their opponents. The Bulldogs came into the game averaging 46 rebounds per game and snatched 48 in this one.
6-7 Michael Ajayi was a menace with 15 points and 14 rebounds, nearly half of the Gamecocks’ total of 29. He was a big reason the Bulldogs outscored the Gamecocks 42-32 in the paint. The Dogs had four dunks to none for the Gamecocks.
The Gamecocks never led in the game and trailed by 15 points early in the second half. They closed to within four on an Eli Ellis three at the ten-minute mark, only to see the Bulldogs build the lead back to 12 with three minutes left.
The Gamecocks got as close as five at 77-72 on a Meechie Johnson three with 15 remaining, but that was as close as they would get.
Johnson led the Gamecocks with 24 points. The Gamecocks shot 40% for the game and were 7-26 on threes.
The Gamecocks will face Northwestern on Sunday afternoon.
Final Stats
