#Gamecocks turn it over 25 times in 66-63 loss at Vanderbilt, drop fourth straight SEC game (AUDIO)

The Southeastern Conference slate is a winding and treacherous path to navigate this season. Nine of the top 25 teams in the AP poll hail from the SEC. League wins, especially on the road, will likely be hard-earned and the result of a focused, concentrated effort. For the second game in a row, the Gamecocks let an opportunity to claim a signature victory slip away, committing 25 turnovers in a 66-63 loss at Vanderbilt, Wednesday.

South Carolina’s energy was on point, but its execution left much to be desired. The blame can be shouldered across the board. All five Gamecocks starters committed at least three turnovers. Jacobi Wright, Zachary Davis and Nick Pringle each registered more turnovers than field goals.

Despite the comedy of errors, the Gamecocks had their chances down the stretch. Morris Ugusuk (20 points) knocked down a 3-pointer to knot the game up at 61-61 with less than two minutes remaining. Moments later, however, Jacobi Wright was whistled for his fifth foul and Vanderbilt retook the lead at the free throw line. The last two fouls called against Wright were highly questionable, leaving him visibly frustrated and USC without its starting point guard for the final 1:19.

On the ensuing possession, Collin Murray-Boyles (14 points) had the ball glance off his knee on the way to the rim for the Gamecocks’ 24th turnover, his fifth. Murray-Boyles did his best to make up for his mistake by stealing the ball from Vanderbilt’s AJ Hoggard on the other end. Hoggard was called for a flagrant foul, resulting in two foul shots and possession for South Carolina, renewing the Gamecocks’ hopes. Murray-Boyles made both free throws to tie the game before USC suffered through a shot-clock violation, accounting for turnover no. 25.

Taking possession with less than ten seconds on the clock and the score even, the Commodores twisted the knife, scoring on a putback from Devin McGlockton with just 0.6 seconds remaining. McGlockton was fouled on the play, and his free throw provided the final margin.

In addition to the untimely turnovers, South Carolina didn’t shoot well with the game in the balance, hitting just one shot from the field over the final six minutes. Ugusuk was the bright spot offensively, making 3 of 4 from beyond the arc and 6 of 8 overall.

The Gamecocks (10-7, 0-4) will look to rebound when they travel to Oklahoma for a 4 p.m. tipoff, Saturday.

Final Stats

Lamont Paris postgame