#Gamecocks grind out 68-62 win over Mississippi State in SEC opener (AUDIO)

COLONIAL LIFE ARENA: Despite a 12-1 start to South Carolina’s season, questions have persisted as to whether the Gamecocks are a legitimate threat to make the NCAA Tournament or if they’ve simply coasted on an easy non-conference schedule. Meechie Johnson and USC certainly made believers out of Mississippi State with a 68-62 win in the conference opener for both teams, Saturday.

Johnson led all scorers with 24 points and sealed the game with a steal near mid-court in the waning seconds. It was a sluggish start for Johnson and the Gamecocks, but the sour taste from the game’s opening moments was washed away with the sweet sound of “Mee … chie John … son” chants from an energetic home crowd as the clock melted away. With USC up by just two points and 7.4 seconds remaining, Mississippi State looked to initiate their offense to tie or take the lead. But Johnson had other ideas, poking the ball away from Dashawn Davis and icing the game with two clutch free throws.

Mississippi State’s size and defensive tenacity gave USC issues early as the Bulldogs darted out to an 11-3 lead. In the first eight minutes of the game, the Gamecocks committed five turnovers and made just one shot from the field. USC adjusted to Mississippi State’s aggressiveness, however, taking advantage of the Bulldogs’ switches with back screens and crisp ball movement. Point guard Ta’Lon Cooper took command in the half-court, dishing out seven assists against just one turnover while Johnson and Myles Stute (15 points) stretched the Bulldogs’ defense, combining to hit 6 of 12 from behind the arc.

Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans pointed to South Carolina’s unselfishness and rebounding as the difference in the game. “The way our team is constructed, we have to win the rebounding battle.”

Jans’ team “is constructed” with size and strength in the post. Mississippi State’s frontcourt includes Jimmy Bell, Jr. (6-10, 280), KeShawn Murphy (6-10, 235) and Tolu Smith III (6-11, 245). But the Gamecocks played with physicality, winning the battle of the boards 35-26.

South Carolina (13-1, 1-0) will next play their first SEC road game of the season at Alabama. Tipoff from Tuscaloosa, Ala., is scheduled for 7 p.m., Tuesday.

Final Stats

Lamont Paris postgame press conference

Meechie Johnson and Myles Stute postgame