FINAL: Gamecocks Overcome Johnson's Absence, Defeat Elon 70-43

Taloon Cooper blazzing offensive performance propelled South Carolina's men's basketball team past the Elon Phoenix.

A game that started with the surprise DNP from Meechie Johnson put the spot light on the question marks of who is going to the supporting cast behind Johnson. It was an ugly game to start, both teams only converted on a total of 16 baskets 14 minutes into the contest 6 mints remaining in the first half, with both Elon and South Carolina shooting 40 percent or worse. 

The players to perform under the spot light were Talon Cooper and Jacobi Wright who combined for 15 first half points kick-starting a 9-0 run creating separation of 10 points ending the half, 30-20.

In the second half things continued together sweeter for the Gamecocks as Cooper hot streak carried over to the second half finishing the game with 17 points (7-11) FG and 3 assists.  M:26 50-31 

A good win for Carolina improving to 11-1, 70-43, largely in part to their defense. A major key for USC was to hedge ball screens hard and to close out on jump shooters; doing so the Gamecocks crippled to Phoenix 3 point shooting percentage to under 25 percent for the game. 

"Yeah we did a good, we didn't give any good looks from the three-point line and our ball pressure was good too," said coach Lamont Paris. 

Second leading scorer Myles Stute finished with 14 points, all in the second half but his performance still has fans uneasy shooting multiple airballs on the night, but hopefully hell continue this momentum going forward. 

In a post game interview, Coach Paris provided what he knew Meechie Jonson's knee.

Meechie Johnson missed tonight's game due knee inflammation.  / Jeff Blake | USA Today Network

"Not a whole lot, structurally it checked out well, he had some knee inflammation so we gave him some time off, but I feel he'll be back soon", Coach Paris shared.

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