South Carolina wraps up regular season with hard-fought overtime win over Mississippi State
There’s no way to sugarcoat it – Wednesday’s loss to No. 4 Tennessee was a gut punch. South Carolina had an opportunity to earn a share of the SEC regular season title with a win over the Volunteers. But despite a late comeback, the Gamecocks came up just short and didn’t get the result they wanted.
South Carolina did get the result it wanted in its regular season finale against Mississippi State, though. The 93-89 overtime victory over the Bulldogs capped off an impressive regular season for the Gamecocks, who are poised to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2017.
With a Kentucky loss to Tennessee later today, the Gamecocks could earn a top-four SEC tournament seed, too.
How it happened
South Carolina (25-6, 13-5 SEC) started off the game hot, jumping out to a five-point lead just four minutes into the game. The Gamecocks played clean basketball and were efficient from the field, making seven of its first 10 shots.
That first-half lead would eventually balloon to nine points by the eight-minute mark after a made three-pointer by Myles Stute. However, it would not stay that way for long as Mississippi State started settling into the game.
The Bulldogs slowly chipped away at South Carolina’s lead as the half went along. Over the next three minutes, Mississippi State would make its next four shots to close the gap to three points.
Eventually, the home team’s gradual chipping would carve a large hole in South Carolina’s lead. With just over five minutes remaining in the half, Josh Hubbard’s made free throw tied the game at 27 points apiece.
Mississippi State clawed back into the game as the Gamecocks struggled to take care of the basketball. South Carolina committed five turnovers in the span of three minutes late in the first half.
As the first half waned, the Gamecocks’ lack of composure on defense kept the score close as well. Two free throws by Josh Gray made it a 35-30 game with just under two minutes left. That lead would shrink to one point before the half after an errant pass found its way into the hands of Mississippi State, which scored a layup with six seconds remaining.
South Carolina headed into the second half with a 38-37 advantage after an up-and-down first half. But both teams continued to exchange blows after the halftime break.
The Bulldogs grabbed their first lead of the game after Hubbard hit a three-pointer to kick off the second half. Meechie Johnson provided a quick answer for South Carolina with a three-pointer of his own 17 seconds later.
The Gamecocks did not look back after that moment, holding onto the lead the rest of the way.
Mississippi State kept the game close throughout the second half, though. South Carolina’s lead never grew larger than seven points, and at multiple points, the score was tied again.
This was the case towards the end of game. The Bulldogs had an answer to both Zachary Davis’ three-point play and Collin Murray-Boyles second-chance layup to stay in the game.
As the clock ticked down, it seemed like B.J. Mack’s composure at the free-throw ultimately gave South Carolina the win. However, Jacobi Wrirght’s foul on Dashawn Davis with one second remaining proved to be costly. Davis made both his free throws to send the game to overtime.
The game still remained close after the second-half buzzer sounded. South Carolina’s lead grew as much as four points after Mack hit a long three-pointer, but Mississippi State cut that lead to one with 11 seconds left.
But Mack and Johnson’s efforts from the charity stripe would ultimately give South Carolina the win. The two combined to go 4-for-4 from the free throw line to clinch the 93-89 victory.
Two observations
South Carolina spreads the wealth—The Gamecocks’ ability to move the ball was demonstrated from the get-go. South Carolina spread the ball around and got everyone involved with the offense. Mack, Murray-Boyles, Johnson and Davis all finished with double-digit points.
Mack comes in clutch—Mack hasn’t been a stranger to hitting shots in big moments. The graduate student forward hit a game-winner against Virginia Tech at the beginning of the season in his hometown of Charlotte.
Mack had a similar impact on the Gamecocks’ victory over Mississippi State. He hit two free throws with four seconds remaining in regulation before the Bulldogs answered and sent the game to overtime. Mack scored seven points in overtime, all of which were pivotal in giving South Carolina the win.
Key stat
38 minutes and 36 seconds—South Carolina has squandered double-digit leads on multiple occasions this season. The Gamecocks’ did not have an opportunity to do this against Mississippi State since its lead in the game never grew beyond 10 points.
Mississippi State was eventually able to make a comeback and send the game to overtime. Despite this, South Carolina still held on to pick up its 25th win of the season.
Turning point
Despite happening so late in the game, Davis’ late-game heroics helped bring momentum and energy back in South Carolina’s direction. The sophomore ran along the baseline and delivered a thunderous dunk with contact.
Davis then make the subsequent free throw to give South Carolina a three-point advantage.
Up next
All eyes are now on afternoon SEC action that will determine whether South Carolina gets a double-bye in the conference tournament.
The Gamecocks, Alabama, Auburn and Kentucky all entered the day with 12-5 records against conference opponents. With a win over Mississippi State, South Carolina just needs a Wildcat loss to clinch a top-four seed.
