25 wins! South Carolina MBB outlasts Mississippi State. SEC Tournament up next
South Carolina’s regular-season finale Saturday carried some extra weight after an emotional loss four days earlier to No. 4 Tennessee.
The No. 17 Gamecocks were still fighting for a top-4 seed in next week’s SEC Tournament and had one last shot to solidify a 25-win regular season and pick up conference win No. 13.
The finale against Mississippi State (19-12, 8-10 SEC) was yet another grind-it-out game on the road.
Leading for over 38 minutes of the game and playing the second overtime game of the year, the Gamecocks (25-6, 13-5 SEC) capitalized on late free throws to leave The Hump in Starkville with a 93-89 win.
The 25th victory is a new program record for regular-season wins.
“We played with a chip on our shoulder the whole season,” head coach Lamont Paris said. “So I’m just really proud of these guys.”
Trio of offense
The Gamecocks needed someone to step up to combat Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard and Cameron Matthews. That someone turned into multiple players: BJ Mack, Collin Murray-Boyles and Meechie Johnson.
Mack led USC’s offense with 25 points, followed up with Johnson’s 16 points and Murray-Boyles’ 19. The true freshman also had eight rebounds and two blocks. The USC trio was supported by Zach Davis’ 13 points and Ta’Lon Cooper’s seven points, with the Gamecocks scoring 10 points off turnovers and 13 points.
“You know, they’re really good players in their own right,” Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans said. “And they did it so efficiently.”
Hubbard and Matthews combined for over 40 points, and four Mississippi State players reached double figures. Hubbard and Matthews carried the load for the Bulldogs, particularly in the final moments. Starting guard Dashawn Davis also scored 16 points for the Bulldogs.
“I think both teams had a good rhythm,” Paris said. “I know we made some defensive mistakes. I’m sure they probably feel like they did, too. But it was a good rhythm for both teams.”
Nothing but physical
Both teams are known for forcing turnovers, and both teams did just that. South Carolina forced 12 Mississippi State turnovers, while the Gamecocks relinquished eight.
The Bulldogs did win the rebounding battle, 39-32, with 19 offensive rebounds and had the better shooting afternoon overall. Murray-Boyles played the entire second half with three personal fouls, after 17 fouls were called between both teams in the first half.
Both teams had to rely on their long-range shots in those final seconds of the game with how physical it got in the paint. Hubbard and Matthews rose to the challenge for Mississippi State, including Hubbard’s massive jumper to tie the game with 32 seconds to go.
“There was no lack of togetherness,” Jans said. “There was no lack of effort or want-to, there’s no quit and give up. ... I know it’s a bottom-line business and it’s about winning and we all get that, but I was proud of their effort.”
Gamecocks lock in No. 5 seed
The Gamecocks’ SEC Tournament seeding wasn’t set in stone following Saturday’s win. Instead, they had to wait to see what happened across the league in the day’s other games.
When the dust settled, they landed the 5 seed and a game on Thursday against the winner of No. 13 Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 Arkansas on Wednesday.
Other notable stats
- Saturday was South Carolina’s seventh road SEC win, tying the 1996-97 team for the most conference road wins in program history.
- Murray-Boyles’ six assists led all players in the category and was a career high. His previous high was five against Kentucky on Jan. 23.
- Mack’s 25 points marked his first 20-point game since scoring 21 against Missouri on Jan. 27.
Next USC game
- vs. Vanderbilt or Arkansas, Thursday at SEC Tournament in Nashville; tip is 25 minutes after 1 p.m. game ends
This story was originally published March 9, 2024 at 4:57 PM.
