South Carolina Basketball Secures Narrow Victory Against Mercer
In a shaky performance, South Carolina’s men’s basketball team managed to secure an 84-72 victory over Mercer, despite struggling during the first half. Head coach Lamont Paris acknowledged the team’s shooting struggles, stating, “I thought they did a really good job and made a bunch of shots. Luckily, we made some shots, too.” The Gamecocks’ win comes as they prepare for two crucial upcoming games at the Fort Myers Invitational.
In the first half, South Carolina led narrowly, 36-32, but concerns loomed as they posted more turnovers than assists and were being out-rebounded. Notably, star player Collin Murray-Boyles attempted only two shots, raising eyebrows over the team’s offensive strategy. In the second half, while the Gamecocks attempted to involve Murray-Boyles more, Mercer made a strong push, even taking a 60-59 lead at one point.
Mercer’s impressive surge highlighted South Carolina’s defensive lapses, a recurring issue this season. The Gamecocks have allowed an average of 70.2 points per game through five matches, a stark contrast to their performance last season when they rarely gave up 70 points in a game. Notably, a critical 11-2 run late in the game helped reclaim control, with Jamarii Thomas and Zachary Davis providing essential scoring contributions.
Thomas finished with a career-high 19 points, while Davis added 18. “I’m still learning a lot… just building my confidence,” said Thomas after the game. Despite the win, South Carolina’s uneven performance raises questions ahead of tougher opponents next week, and there is an urgent need for improvement as the season progresses.
Source
Photo credit southcarolina.rivals.com