South Carolina basketball had their worst performance of the year last time out when they lost by 40 points at Auburn.
The setback moved the Gamecocks’ record to 21-4 (9-3 in the SEC), and USC fell into a tie for 2nd place in the conference.
A bounce-back opportunity presented itself on Saturday as the LSU Tigers traveled to Columbia led by Mtt MacMahon (who, according to reports, chose the LSU head coaching job over the South Carolina basketball job after the 2021-2022 season).
Gamecock fans have been more than satisfied with how things shook out, however, as Lamont Paris entered this game calm, cool, and collected as he always is.
Six minutes into the game, both teams were shooting 25% from the field, indicating that the offensive problems persisted.
A few plays later, Jordan Wright of LSU scored after escaping with a double dribble, sparking a 6-0 run for the Tigers that continued until the under-12 media timeout.
But Lamont Paris’ squad didn’t back down, holding LSU without a field goal for more than six minutes in the course of a 17-1 run that gave USC a 29-17 lead.
LSU made a brief 6-0 run in the closing minutes of the first half to narrow their deficit, but Carolina still led 32-25 at the intermission.
The Bayou Bengals’ losing streak came to an end when Jalen Reed made a shot, and they gradually got back into the game.
Over the following few minutes, the scoreboard appeared to light up on seemingly alternate possessions, but the Gamecocks made a couple ofAfter Reed successfully made a clear out with his off hand, the lead was reduced to four points after a dunk.
BJ Mack made a hard running hook shot after the break, but he then easily grabbed the rebound, giving LSU an additional possession.
Regrettably, for supporters of South Carolina basketball, Jacobi Wright’s step-back 3-point attempt rimmed out, causing the Gamecocks’ 16-point advantage in the second half to officially collapse. Carolina fell to LSU 64-63 at Colonial Life Arena, losing for the first time this season in their second straight game.