3 things we learned from South Carolina’s win over Coastal

South Carolina improved to 8-2 with its 80-78 win over Coastal Carolina on Saturday at Colonial Life Arena.

Some takeaways from USC’s final game before a 10-day break for final exams:

The Gamecocks played in front of a ‘great environment’

Props to CLA. An announced crowd of 11,734 – some dressed in coordination with the Star Wars theme – got loud when it needed to as USC had to fight down the stretch to escape the Chanticleers.

“It was a great environment,” said senior guard Frank Booker. “Our fans really came out and helped us out.”

It’s been well documented how much CLA crowds have been a talking point for Frank Martin recently. The coach, echoing what he said during his radio show Thursday, expressed his program’s need for assistance following the Coastal win.

“Our fans make a difference on our basketball team,” said the USC coach. “Our fans help us. They have bought 9,000 season tickets, somewhere in there. Am I wrong for asking 9,000 people that already paid for seats to help us? That’s all I need.

“We got incredible people that care about this school. We need their help. That’s all I’m saying.”

South Carolina’s next home game is Dec. 27 against Division II Limestone.

Booker’s scoring making up for others

Ten games in and Frank Booker (11.4 ppg) is second to only Chris Silva among USC’s leading scorers. The Florida Atlantic transfer had a season-high 19 points against the Chanticleers, 12 coming in the second half.

Such production was hardly expected for Booker upon his arrival in Columbia. Whether at FAU or Oklahoma, he’s never finished a season averaging more than six points a contest.

Not just a luxury, Booker’s scoring has been needed at USC. Hassani Gravett, Wes Myers and Kory Holden – the other guards in Carolina’s rotation – combined for 17 points on 5 of 16 shooting Saturday. Holden, a Delaware transfer, and Myers, a Maine transfer, are a combined 6 of their last 33 from the field.

Martin will stick to his principles

Coastal Carolina entered Saturday 123rd nationally in scoring offense, 175th in 3-point field goal percentage and 48th in offensive rebounding.

The 78 points are the most the Gamecocks have allowed this season. The Chants also hit 10-of-24 3-pointers – including a 7-of-14 mark in the first half – and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds, the most against USC this season.

Naturally, Martin wasn’t pleased – but he didn’t adjust his strategy. That was by design.

“I’m gonna tell you what I told the guys in a timeout,” Martin said. “I’m not playing zone. I don’t care if we lose. I’m not playing zone. You guys are gonna learn how to take ownership and guard the ball. ... Figure out a way to guard the ball.”

The Gamecocks, as of Saturday evening, were still 17th in Ken Pomeroy’s defensive efficiency ratings. They ended last season No. 3 in that category.

This story was originally published December 10, 2017 at 10:04 AM with the headline "3 things we learned from South Carolina’s win over Coastal."