#Gamecocks fall to Georgia 74-69 for first home loss of the season (AUDIO)

A cold front moved into Columbia Tuesday night, and it settled over the USC bench in the second half of their 74-69 loss to Georgia. The Gamecocks led by nine 48-39 with 14:05 to play. They proceeded to miss their next 11 shots from the floor over the next 9:08 of game time. They finished the game by making just five of their final 11 shots.

On top of that, the Gamecocks missed eight free throws during that crucial stretch of the game. They went 10-21 from the line in the second half.

Georgia missed their first six shots of the second half as the Gamecocks built their lead, then made 10 of their final 21. They also hit their free throws going 14-18 from the line over the final 10 minutes and 25-32 for the game.

Despite their shooting travails, the Gamecocks had their chances to grind out a tough home win. They were within three 63-60 after a BJ Mack layup with 3:18 to play. Cain Blue missed a three-pointer on the Bulldogs’ next possession, and Meechie Johnson picked up a flagrant-one foul fighting for the rebound. Silas Demary made one of two from the line.

On the ensuing possession, Demary was again fouled, and again went one for two from the line to give Georgia a 65-50 lead with 2:30 to play. The Gamecocks got the ball to Mack on their possession, and he worked his way inside for a layup, but he missed, and the Gamecocks fouled on the rebound. That led to another Georgia free throw and a six-point lead.

Georgia still led by six 70-64 when Johnson hit a deep three with :33 to play. But that was the Gamecocks’ last gasp and last points until Ta’lon Cooper made a layup at the buzzer to account for the final five-point margin.

Johnson led the Gamecocks with 16 points and made four of their six three-pointers. Demary led the Bulldogs with 15 points. Both teams had 23 field goals, and the Gamecocks had six three-pointers to three for Georgia. The difference came out the foul line were the Dogs outscored the Gamecocks 25-17.

The Gamecocks are now 14-3 overall and 2-2 in the SEC. They will play at Arkansas Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs are 13-4 and 3-2 in the SEC. They will play at Kentucky Saturday.

Final Stats

Lamont Paris postgame press conference