Columbia, South Carolina – Gamecocks Secure Comeback Victory in Final Nonconference Game
The University of South Carolina Gamecocks faced an intriguing challenge in their final nonconference matchup of the season, overcoming a sluggish first half to defeat Presbyterian College 69-59 at Colonial Life Arena on Monday night. This win paves the way for the Gamecocks as they prepare to enter Southeastern Conference (SEC) play.
Head coach Lamont Paris emphasized the importance of securing a victory in this game. “I told them after the game that if we had found a way just to win the game, there’s only going to be so much frustration that I could have, no matter how we played,” Paris stated. The Gamecocks got just what they needed, although the journey to victory was not smooth.
Notable Performance
With a strong performance from sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles, who scored 22 points—including 18 in the second half—and added nine rebounds, the Gamecocks were able to regroup after trailing 32-24 at halftime. Freshman transfer Nick Pringle also contributed significantly with 14 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.
First Half Struggles
In a season characterized by slow starts, South Carolina struggled against Presbyterian, who took advantage of the Gamecocks’ early shooting difficulties. USC turned the ball over ten times in the first half, shooting only 38.5 percent, their season low at that point. “Not to take anything away from them, but they weren’t pressing or trapping—just bad decisions, carelessness with the ball,” Paris observed.
Conversely, Presbyterian had a promising start with standout player Kory Mincy leading the scoring with 27 points. On multiple occasions, the Blue Hose went on scoring runs of five points or more, putting considerable pressure on the Gamecocks.
Second Half Turnaround
After the halftime break, South Carolina found more rhythm on the court. They opened the second half with a 16-5 run and managed to tie the game at 50 with just over six minutes left to play. Following that, the Gamecocks constructed a pivotal 19-9 run to secure the win.
Paris remarked, “It was a hard game for us to get going… Sometimes the best way to do it is just to get into the locker room at halftime, regroup, and then get to the business in the last 20 minutes.” This resilience seems to be a trademark of the Gamecocks, as they have often managed to bounce back stronger in the second half.
Upcoming Challenges
The Gamecocks are heading into SEC play with a record of 10-3 and will face tough competition, starting with their game against No. 17 Mississippi State this Saturday. The SEC is known for its competitiveness, and South Carolina is looking to improve upon its predicted eleventh-place finish in the preseason poll.
Despite the struggles faced this season, Paris remains optimistic. “We’re going to be in a lot of close ones. I try not to get caught up in the ebbs and flows… Certainly, we’d like to get off to a better start,” he added.
As they turn their attention to SEC matchups, the Gamecocks look to harness the momentum from Monday’s win and begin a strong stretch of performances that could propel them into postseason contention.
