COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina men’s basketball pulled away from Southeast Missouri State in the second half Sunday and won 78-68 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, the first time the two programs had ever met.
The Gamecocks shot just 7-of-25 from the field before the break but hit 17 of 20 free throws, and a Kory Mincy layup in the final two minutes of the half put them up 33-32 at intermission. The visitors led five times in the opening 20 minutes.
South Carolina opened the second half on a 17-5 burst to go up 50-39, with Mincy scoring 10 points in the first five minutes after the break. Southeast Missouri State cut the margin to 59-55 on a Fontaine Williams Jr. 3-pointer, and the visitors never drew closer. The Gamecocks closed on an 8-4 run.
Mincy finished with 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting, four rebounds and three steals. Juan Fernandez added 18 points, made 10 of 13 free throws and blocked four shots. Freshman Marcus Johnson scored 10 points in his college debut while wearing a protective face mask. Four South Carolina players reached double figures.
South Carolina held a 40-24 rebounding edge and outscored the RedHawks 30-15 at the foul line. The Gamecocks went 30-of-40 on free throws and blocked seven shots, while holding the visitors to 5-of-14 from 3-point range.
Williams led Southeast Missouri State with 18 points and five rebounds, going 3-for-3 from deep, and Marqueas Bell scored 13. The RedHawks fell to 2-1. South Carolina, now 2-0, continues a five-game homestand against Saint Peter’s at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 11.
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