Gamecocks Secure 84-72 Win Over Mercer
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Gamecocks emerged victorious against Mercer, claiming an 84-72 win on Thursday night, fueled by standout performances from Jamarii Thomas and Zachary Davis. Thomas, a senior transfer, led the Gamecocks (3-2) with 19 points, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and hitting 4-of-5 from three-point range. He also contributed three steals to the win. Davis provided a strong performance off the bench with a career-high 18 points, making 7-of-12 shots and grabbing five rebounds.
Sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles added 16 points and narrowly missed a double-double with nine rebounds, showcasing his efficiency with a shooting percentage of 6-of-7. Jacobi Wright rounded out the scoring with 11 points. The Gamecocks’ offensive strategy paid off as they shot a season-high 12 three-pointers, the fourth most recorded under head coach Lamont Paris.
Mercer (2-3) was paced by Tyler Johnson, who netted 15 points, including four three-pointers. Teammates Alex Holt and Angel Montas Jr. each contributed 14 points, while Ahmad Robinson recorded 13 points and eight assists before fouling out.
The first half saw South Carolina leading 36-32, with both teams battling closely. However, the Gamecocks secured their lead after a strong second half, highlighted by key three-pointers and a commanding dunk from Murray-Boyles that pushed the margin beyond 10 points.
This matchup marked the first meeting between the schools since 2001, and the Gamecocks have now won four straight against the Bears. Next up, South Carolina faces off against Xavier in the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Monday at 8:30 p.m. (ET), aiming to continue their momentum.
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