FINAL: Gamecocks Stay Calm in Final Moments in Close 73-69 Win Over Bucs

South Carolina men's basketball team was in a tight one for most of the game, but find a way to walk out with the win over Charleston Southern.

Lamont Paris and the Gamecocks are back home tonight, for the first time since December 1st, against Charleston Southern, looking to improve to nine wins on the season. This game was close through the whole game, but the Gamecocks did everything right for the majority of the game, and South Carolina would hold on and and beat the Buccaneers 73-69.

In the first half, it was as good of a game as you'd hope; while I'm sure fans and coach Paris would have liked a more significant lead going into the half, both teams played exceptionally well. The Gamecocks shot an impressive 65% in the first half, but both teams could take each other's punches and survive each team's runs. BJ Mack led the team in the first half with 10 points, with Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk coming off the bench with 6 points. 

Lamont Paris watches on during the game / Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

The second half was much like the first, where neither team could create any separation, with the most significant difference being that neither could shoot the ball well in the second half. However, with about 2 minutes remaining in the game, Meechie Johnson would score 7 of his 9 points and help lead the Gamecocks to victory in a tight game.

Head Coach Lamont Paris and the Gamecocks had a game on their hands the whole way through, but it wasn't easy. While some may look at the spread and see the Gamecocks didn't win big like they were "supposed to," there is plenty of that South Carolina can take away from games like this and stay calm, improving to 9-1 on the year. The Gamecocks will welcome Winthrop on Tuesday at 7 pm. 

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