FINAL: Gamecocks Make Statement in 63-59 Win Over No. 5 Tennessee

South Carolina Men's Basketball Program pulled of their second upset over top ten teams with an 63-59 win over 5th ranked Tennessee.

After what some Carolina fans deemed disrespectful, the AP Top 25 poll was released on Monday afternoon and ranked Carolina 26th after an upset win over Kentucky and having an impressive record. However, Lamont Paris and the Staff knew that at the end of the day, all they could do was continue to win. To do so, the Gamecocks would need to continue playing complementary team ball and great on the defensive end. 

The first half was a battle of runs from both the Gamecocks and the Vols. One team would go on a 7-0 run, and the other would answer back, continuing for most of the first half. Over the last seven minutes of the first half, South Carolina did a much better job of getting their shots to fall and holding Tennesse to just four points in the final 4:30 of the first half. Ta'Lon Cooper and BJ Mack continued to be a scoring threat even with the cold spell Meechie Johnson was still on.

Ta'Lon Cooper moves the ball against Tennessee Volunteers guard / Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Through the first part of the second half, the early turnover struggles for the Gamecocks allowed Tennessee to keep the game close. Even though South Carolina forced the Vols to go nearly 8 minutes without a basket. Cooper hit a rather important three with five minutes remaining in the game, during a period where both teams were struggling offensively, to give the Gamecocks a six-point lead.

In the final 4 minutes of the game, Carolina found a way to hold off Dalton Knecht and the Vols despite a scoring drought at the end, but once again, Ta'Lon Cooper hit a big shot when the Gamecocks needed it most. Lamont Paris and South Carolina made a statement this game that they're here, and it's time to take notice of the turnaround in Columbia in just a year. 

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