#Gamecocks blow big second half lead in falling to LSU 64-63 (AUDIO)

Colonial Life Arena: It was a tale of two Tigers this week for the South Carolina basketball team. After climbing to #11 in the polls, the Gamecocks were slapped back down to earth by a 40-point loss at Auburn Wednesday night followed by a 64-63 loss to LSU Saturday afternoon in Columbia. The Gamecocks suddenly have their first losing streak of the season.

USC appeared to have the LSU Tigers caged with a 16-point lead 41-25 with 16:58 to play. But the Tigers fought back and finally caught the Gamecocks at 57-57 with 1:24 play on a three-point shot by Tyrell Ward.

BJ Mack answered with a three only for Ward to drive to the basket for layup and a foul. He canned the free throw to tie the game again at 60-60 with :46 to play.

USC retook the lead 17 seconds later on a three-pointer by Ta’lon Cooper. Jordan Wright then drove through USC defenders for layup with :17 left followed by a LSU timeout.

Then came the turning point. The ball was inbounded to Mack on the sideline in front of the LSU bench. He was quickly double-teamed and tied up, and the possession arrow pointed to LSU. Mack said after the game he should have called timeout to save that possession and did not say he was fouled.

On the LSU possession, Wright took it to the basket and was fouled by Collin-Murray Boyles with five seconds left. He made both free throws for a 64-63 lead.

The Gamecocks called timeout, then threw an inbounds pass toward Murray-Boyles down the left sideline that was knocked out of bounds by the Tigers just across halfcourt. LSU, with fouls to burn, fouled Wright on the next inbounds play with :03 left. With the ball now under the basket, the Gamecocks’ final inbounds pass went to Wright in the deep left corner, and his shot hit the backside of the iron as the horn went off.

USC finished at 42% shooting including 6-20 from three. Mack led the Gamecocks with 18 points and nine rebounds. Murray-Boyles added 13 points and seven boards. Meechie Johnson did not score for the second time in seven games going 0-4 from the floor with four assists. He was hit in the head with 5:05 to play and the Gamecocks up six and left the game. He was not able to return and will be examined for a possible concussion.

Ward had 16 points and Wright 14 points to lead LSU. Former Gamecock guard Trae Hannibal scored six points and grabbed a game high 12 rebounds.

The Gamecocks are now 21-5 overall and 9-4 in the SEC. They are still among the top four in the league who will get the double bye for next month’s SEC Tournament. This will be USC’s bye week on the SEC schedule, and they will next play at Ole Miss next Saturday.

Final Stats

Lamont Paris postgame press conference

BJ Mack & Collin Murray-Boyles postgame press conference