The Daily Gamecock

Gamecock men's basketball takes first season loss to Boston University

After a close game, the Gamecocks were unable to secure a win against the Boston University Terriers and lost 78-70 at home.

First half

The starting lineup for the Gamecocks included senior Maik Kotsar, junior Jair Bolden and sophomores Justin Minaya, A.J. Lawson and Alanzo Frink.  

As the game began, Kotsar came up with a block for the Gamecocks defense, but the Terriers were able to respond with a 3-pointer by Jonas Harper.

South Carolina responded quickly offensively in the following few minutes by going on a 11-2 point run over the Terriers. 

While the game remained close through the first five minutes of the half, Boston University shined from the 3-point line, making three from behind the arc. South Carolina only made one, but Kotsar's six points and three rebounds kept South Carolina in the game.

Nothing changed as the first half continued as Kotsar put up four more points for the Gamecocks, keeping the game within two points.

South Carolina's defense continued to give up points to Boston University off layups and jumpers, and a jumper by freshman Jack Hemphill put the Terriers up with a three-point lead with under five minutes left in the first half.

As the first half came to a close, the Gamecocks took the lead as Lawson sank a last minute 3-pointer.

The halftime score was South Carolina 38, Boston University 35.

Second half

Within seconds of the second half, Boston University tied up the game with a 3-pointer by Harper.

As the second half continued, the game remained close as neither team led over three points. Minaya sparked the Gamecocks offense and fans with a layup in traffic, but sloppiness on defense lead to Harper sinking his second 3-pointer of the half for the Terriers.

Boston pulled ahead with a five-point lead, the biggest point difference in the second half thus far.

South Carolina struggled to find consistent success on offense, missing free throws, while Boston capitalized on offense. 

With eight minutes left in the game, Jermaine Couisard made a 3-pointer for the Gamecocks as South Carolina tried to gain momentum offensively. 

A.J. Lawson contributed to this momentum with a successful 3-point play with seven minutes remaining in the game.

The Terriers responded with a 3-pointer by Javante McCoy after a foul call against Kotsar to give Boston a second chance on offense.

The Terriers then pulled ahead by eight with under four minutes remaining and continued growing their lead as the second half continued.

"Other than dealing with me in practice, this is the first time we were dealing with real adversity and we became a very quiet, in our feelings team, which is when I'm talking about immaturity, that's what I'm talking about." head coach Frank Martin said.

South Carolina called a timeout as the game began to get away from it, but coming out of it, the Gamecocks were unable to make the adjustments.

"The harder the game got, the louder their players got and the quieter our players got, and that's what happens," Martin said. "We just got to grow up, there's no other way to word it. We battled, we tried, but every time we tied it there was an effort plays that we get beat on."

South Carolina fell eight points short to the Terriers, 78-70.

Key players

The entirety of Tuesday night's game was close, but Lawson played the most consistently for the Gamecocks.

Lawson's points on offense and aggressiveness on defense helped continue to cut Boston's lead down. He finished the night with 22 points, five defensive rebounds and two offensive rebounds. 

Looking ahead

Minaya and Lawson said they felt like a lack of connection on defense is what hurt their team through the game.

There was "a lot of being a step too late or just not moving as well as we should have been," Minaya said.

Going forward, Lawson explained that Coach Martin wants them to work on being better connected as a team and to not let games like tonight get away from them going forward.

The Gamecocks will return to Colonial Life Arena Nov. 22 to host Gardner-Webb University as a part of the 2019 Cancun Challenge. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed on SEC Network+.


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