Columbia Sees Gamecocks Extend Winning Streak with Victory Over USC Upstate

Columbia Sees Gamecocks Extend Winning Streak with Victory Over USC Upstate

Columbia, SC – The University of South Carolina Gamecocks continued their strong performance in collegiate basketball on Saturday afternoon, defeating USC Upstate with a decisive score of 73-53. This victory marks the Gamecocks’ fourth consecutive win, bringing their overall record to 7-3 as they prepare for a rivalry matchup against Clemson on Tuesday.

A Strong Showing by the Gamecocks

The Gamecocks showcased an impressive offensive display, particularly from Nick Pringle, who led the scoring with 19 points, shooting an efficient 8-of-10 from the field. In addition to Pringle’s standout performance, teammates Collin Murray-Boyles contributed 13 points, Jamarii Thomas added 11, and Jacobi Wright rounded out the offense with 10 points, demonstrating solid teamwork.

As a whole, the Gamecocks managed a shooting percentage of 42 percent from the floor and 26 percent from three-point range. In contrast, the Spartans struggled significantly, connecting on only 38 percent of their shots and making just 1-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Coaching Insights

After the game, Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris reflected on the performance in both halves of play. “I thought the second half, we did a lot more things that resembled what we want to look like,” he mentioned. He acknowledged a notable improvement on the offensive end while expressing his concerns regarding the team’s defensive efforts in the first half. “There was some level of frustration with the team in the delivery of my halftime speech because of that,” Paris said, highlighting the need for consistency in execution.

First Half Highlights

The Gamecocks began the game strong, quickly gaining a lead of 14-8 just over six minutes in. They continued to build their advantage, leading 19-10 after an 11:32 timeout. However, both teams went through a scoring drought as the clock ticked down, and with 7:53 remaining, South Carolina still enjoyed a healthy 24-13 lead.

A concerning moment arose when USC Upstate guard Brit Harris suffered a hard fall after a transition dunk. Although he showed movement before being stretchered off the court, it prompted a pause in the game for mental reassessment among the players. “I think just mentally, being able to move forward, there is some level in your mind of confidence in the outcome,” Paris commented on the situation.

Despite the interruption, the Spartans ended the first half on a 7-0 run, closing the gap to 35-28. South Carolina struggled in the last minutes of the half, shooting only 2-for-11 during a critical scoring drought.

Second Half and Upcoming Rivalry

The Gamecocks bounced back in the second half, starting with a quick 7-2 run that pushed the lead to 12 points. Pringle noted the effectiveness of their game plan to utilize lobs, saying, “I feel like our guards did a great job of just putting it in the right spots.” An 8-0 run with 8:46 left in the game prompted a timeout from USC Upstate, further extending South Carolina’s advantage to 60-38.

Wrapping up, the Gamecocks held a significant lead of 21 points at 70-49 during the final media timeout, securing the victory as the clock wound down.

Looking ahead, South Carolina will face off against Clemson on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Colonial Life Arena, and the matchup will be broadcast on the SEC Network. Wright expressed optimism about the upcoming game, stating, “We are on a good streak right now so we just want to keep doing it and keep the streak alive on Tuesday.”