The Gamecock men's basketball team (11-11, 2-7 SEC) could not complete a comeback against LSU (14-8, 2-7 SEC), losing in overtime 92-87 at home Saturday afternoon.
A fast start offensively was not an early indication of the first half for head coach Lamont Paris’ team. Graduate guard Myles Stute started the game with a bang by posterizing an LSU defender. But the tumultuous offense that followed, while not pretty, displayed the resiliency of the Gamecocks, as they scrapped together stops and runs to keep themselves in the game.
Throughout the first half, the offense was plagued by inconsistency. Scoring in bunches followed by minutes without scoring was not a winning recipe, especially when paired with poor defense at the other end.
Late in the first half, the LSU lead increased to 13, aided by easy baskets inside and several fouls that got the Tigers to the free-throw line.
The Gamecocks, however, made their most impressive run to end the half, scoring 10 unanswered points in their biggest push. They finished the first by beating the buzzer off an impressive jumper from redshirt senior guard Meechie Johnson.
Taking the momentum into halftime, the Gamecocks faced a 1-point deficit to begin the second half 36-35.
Maintaining a rhythm offensively was a vast improvement for Paris, as he saw his squad not only match pace with the Tigers but take its first lead of the game five minutes into the second half.
While the Tigers kept their focus on attacking the paint, the Gamecocks were able to answer with 3-pointers.
Despite LSU leading the entire first half, its offense, while efficiently shooting 51.7% from the field, primarily came from quick shots inside off the pick-and-roll. The Tigers also excelled at the free-throw line, where they shot 84%. However, neither were effective in sustaining the lead.
This allowed the Gamecocks to not only hang around but lead for nearly half of the second frame after closing the gap.
Throughout the game, South Carolina kept it clean, only giving it away six times. This was the best mark for the Gamecocks since opening SEC play against Vanderbilt, where they had a season-low four turnovers.
Not only did South Carolina only give it away a few times, it forced 11 LSU turnovers that turned into 15 points going the other way.
Paris utilized a trap in the second half, blitzing LSU ball handlers and trying to force turnovers while also not allowing the Tiger offense to slow down.
No trap, however, was more important than the one at the end of regulation that stopped LSU from having a good look for the go-ahead score and keeping the game knotted at 78.
For South Carolina, the free-throw line was not as advantageous down the stretch. Shooting just 71% despite 22 free throws made proved to be the edge for the Tigers in the end.
A game with 56 attempted free throws combined was riddled with physicality from both sides. And after seven lead changes in the second half, regulation was not enough time to decide a winner.
In overtime, the grit of both teams was on full display, fighting against contact and being forced to make free throws. Only one field goal was made by the Gamecocks in the extra time.
The defining play, however, was a 3-pointer from LSU senior guard Max Mackinnon. As the Gamecocks struggled to track down a loose ball, Mackinnon found himself with an open shot and knocked it in with less than 30 seconds remaining, giving LSU a two-possession lead.
“We didn’t make some plays if you look at the real waning moments of the game,” Paris said. “Combined with some free-throw shooting, oftentimes that's the difference in these close games.”