South Carolina’s 108-74 loss to Arkansas was largely defined by the way turnovers translated into Razorback points, particularly in transition.
South Carolina finished the game with 16 turnovers, while Arkansas committed just four, creating a significant possession imbalance. Arkansas converted those miscues into 22 points off turnovers, compared to 2 for South Carolina. Many of those points came before the Gamecocks could set their half-court defense, allowing Arkansas to establish tempo early and maintain it throughout the game.
Despite shooting a respectable 44.4% from the field, or 28 of 63, South Carolina struggled to keep pace offensively due to turnover frequency and limited perimeter efficiency.
"We got frazzled in our shot selection, and (Arkansas) took the ball from us a lot of times," head coach Lamont Paris said.
The Gamecocks shot 23.3% from 3-point range, or seven of 30, which reduced their ability to offset Arkansas’ transition scoring. Arkansas, meanwhile, shot 58.9% from the field, or 43 of 73, and 38.1% from three, or eight of 21, often generating high-percentage attempts following live-ball turnovers.
Redshirt senior guard Meechie Johnson accounted for a significant portion of South Carolina’s offense, finishing with 29 points on nine-of-13 shooting, including three of six 3-point attempts and eight of 10 from the free-throw line, while also leading the team with six assists. Redshirt senior guard Kobe Knox added 9 points on four of seven shooting but also recorded four turnovers.
Junior forward Elijah Strong contributed 9 points and five rebounds, including three offensive boards, and graduate guard Myles Stute finished three of 11 from the field and one of nine from the three.
South Carolina did generate second-chance opportunities, collecting 13 offensive rebounds and finishing with 33 total rebounds, compared to Arkansas’ 36. However, those extra possessions were often neutralized by turnovers on subsequent trips. Arkansas also limited prolonged scoring runs, holding South Carolina scoreless for stretches, including a 2:55 scoring drought in the second half as the margin widened.
Arkansas consistently responded to South Carolina baskets with quick offense. Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. recorded 18 points and 13 assists, repeatedly initiating transition scoring after steals or long rebounds. Graduate forward Nick Pringle added 15 points and seven rebounds, including six offensive rebounds, while Arkansas as a team scored efficiently during extended runs, including a 9-0 burst over 2:55 that further separated the teams.
By halftime, Arkansas had built a 50-38 lead, aided by its ability to convert turnovers into points and limit its own mistakes. The second half followed the same pattern, with Arkansas extending the lead to as many as 43 points while continuing to score before South Carolina could stabilize defensively.
"We just didn't respond in the second half, and we didn't have the juice and the fight that we needed to," Paris said.
The disparity in turnovers and the resulting transition opportunities shaped the flow of the game. South Carolina’s offensive production was frequently interrupted by live-ball turnovers, allowing Arkansas to control pace, generate efficient scoring chances and sustain separation through both halves.