Gamecocks force OT but can’t break SEC skid in loss to No. 14 Mississippi State
The Gamecocks’ crunch-time woes strike again.
South Carolina’s struggles to close out games continued in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday: South Carolina fell 65-60 in overtime to No. 14 Mississippi State at Colonial Life Arena. It’s the Gamecocks’ fifth loss in crunch time this season and fourth in SEC play.
“I felt bad for them, but I was happy with with how we competed and how we fought,” USC head coach Lamont Paris said. “Our day is coming. Our day where we recognize what it is that really prevents us from handling some of these games in a way where we win.”
The two teams shot a combined 2 of 10 from the field in the extra period, but MSU went 8 of 9 from the free-throw line.
USC had a chance late, down 61-58, when Nick Pringle grabbed an offensive rebound with four seconds left. But he threw it a bit too high for Arden Conyers, who was open in the corner for a potential game-tying 3-pointer.
The loss dropped South Carolina to 10-10 overall and 0-7 in SEC play, marking its worst conference start in program history. MSU (16-4, 4-3 SEC) has now won 12 of the last 17 matchups with the Gamecocks. But it was night and day from the first time these teams faced off in the SEC opener, which resulted in a 35-point MSU win.
Mississippi State controlled the game early, but USC’s defense gave the Gamecocks a chance to trim the lead late in the first half. However, a 7-0 Bulldogs run before the break extended their advantage to 28-20 at halftime.
The teams traded blows early in the second half, but another Bulldogs surge — this time a 10-3 run — stretched the lead to 43-30 with 11 minutes left.
USC responded with a 19-5 run in the last 6 :28 of the game, capped by a steal and layup by Zach Davis with 26 seconds left that forced overtime.
Senior Jamarii Thomas scored a game-high 19 points in his return from injury for South Carolina, while Conyers added 12 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles notched a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds on 4-of-11 shooting, while adding four steals and two blocks.
USC is back on the road Tuesday to take on Georgia. Here are three observations from the loss to Mississippi State.
Defense kept USC afloat
The Gamecocks couldn’t buy a bucket in the first half. They hit 2 of their first 15 shots (13.3%). If not for free throws, the scoreboard might have looked downright ugly. Davis accounted for the team’s only two field goals until the 6:50 mark.
USC shot just 29.3% from the field.
Defense kept South Carolina in the game. After falling behind 13-5 midway through the half, USC hunkered down. Over the next six minutes, the Gamecocks held Mississippi State to a single point, forcing five turnovers and six straight misses.
The Bulldogs had nine turnovers in the first half. But USC had turnover troubles of its own — with seven before the half.
USC finished with 19 turnovers for the game, while MSU had 17.
Jamarii Thomas back and buzzing
Welcome back, Jamarii Thomas. After missing the last four games with an injury, the USC guard returned and gave the Gamecocks a much-needed spark off the bench.
He didn’t waste time making an impact. Two steals and two fast-break layups within a 20-second span tied the game at 14-14, sending some life into the crowd and the USC bench.
Thomas was South Carolina’s top scorer in the first half, finishing with eight points, four steals and three rebounds. The Gamecocks needed his production with Murray-Boyles struggling early. Davis, who had a standout game against Florida, also faltered, finishing with seven points on 3-of-12 shooting.
Historic struggles
The Gamecocks’ 0-7 start in SEC play is officially their worst in program history. The previous low of 0-6 has happened three times, most recently in the 2013-14 season.
South Carolina has three one-possession losses in SEC play on top of Saturday’s five-point overtime loss.
“If it doesn’t break you, it’ll make you stronger. And it hasn’t broken our guys,” Paris said.
A potential Cinderella run is getting farther and farther away with just 11 games left in conference play. USC will have to shake off this rough patch quickly if it hopes to turn things around.
Next four games
- Tuesday: at Georgia, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
- Feb. 1: vs. Texas A&M, 8:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
- Feb. 8: at Kentucky, 12 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
- Feb. 12: vs. Mississippi, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
This story was originally published January 25, 2025 at 3:40 PM.
