The South Carolina men’s basketball team (10-14, 0-11 SEC) lost another tight contest to the No. 19 Ole Miss Rebels (19-6, 8-4 SEC) 72-68 on Wednesday at Colonial Life Arena, extending its losing streak to 11 games in SEC play, the worst start in program history in conference play.
"It's difficult to know what to say to the guys, to connect to them," head coach Lamont Paris said. "It's frustrating for me, but more than frustration, I feel a sense of empathy for them."
The Gamecocks spent much of the first half playing from behind after the Rebels took an early 12-6 lead just four minutes into the half. The Rebels maintained its early lead for the rest of the half, as the Gamecocks entered the break trailing 42-32.
The Rebels rode an impressive team effort to take the first half lead, shooting 15-23 (65%) from the field with seven different players. Ole Miss made six of its nine three-point attempts in the first half, with Matthew Murrell leading the way with 8 points on 3-3 shooting.
Sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles had a strong first half for the Gamecocks, leading all scorers with 12 points on 5-9 (55%) shooting from the field with a three pointer.
The second half saw the Gamecocks come roaring back, taking a 58-57 lead with 6:55 remaining in the game after a layup by senior guard Jamarii Thomas. The Gamecocks slowed down the once red-hot Ole Miss offense, who missed eight consecutive field goals as South Carolina kept cutting into the lead.
South Carolina continued to play Ole Miss tightly down the stretch, as the Rebels led 69-68 with just over a minute remaining after neither team could create separation. A driving layup by Ole Miss senior guard Dre Davis and a costly turnover by Gamecock junior guard Zach Davis sealed the game for the Rebels. Ole Miss junior forward Malik Dia scored 12 of the final 15 points for the Rebels to lead them to victory.
Can't get over the hump
The close loss marks the sixth time South Carolina has lost by five points or less since conference play began, while still searching for that first conference win.
"It's definitely frustrating," senior guard Jacobi Wright said. "We still got more games to play, so we have to figure out how to pull out a win."
The Gamecocks have lost by an average of 6.1 points per game in home conference games, just continuing to be on the wrong side of late-game situations. The loss also marks the 10th loss against a ranked opponent for South Carolina, with eight of those losses coming in conference play.
Unable to capitalize at the free throw line
The Gamecocks drew 21 fouls against the Rebels to shoot just 20-32 (62.5%) from the charity stripe. South Carolina entered the contest with the third-worst free throw percentage in the SEC at 69.4%.
"Today we missed free-throws, 12 free-throws....that's the game right there," Murray-Boyles said. "If we can convert on six of those 12, eight of those 12, it would be a whole different game."
The South Carolina aggressiveness to get to the free throw line was a catalyst to keep the game close late, as Dia and Dre Davis each had to sit for extended time in foul trouble. Paris said the fouls came as a product of South Carolina being strong with the ball inside.
"If you're strong with the ball, it often times ends up being a foul," Paris said. "I thought we were stronger in the second half with it and those did end up being fouls."
Murray-Boyles continues to impress in conference play
South Carolina got another great performance out of Murray-Boyles, who finished with 20 points on 7-14 (50%) from the field. Murray-Boyles added on six rebounds and three assists. He is averaging a team-leading 14.5 points per game since conference play began.
Murray-Boyles said he has to continue playing aggressive to give South Carolina a chance late in games.
"That's pretty much my mindset playing these games," Murray-Boyles said. "For us to have a good chance of winning I have to stay aggressive, keep attacking the rim as much as possible."
What's next?
The Gamecocks (10-14, 0-11 SEC) hit the road to play the No. 3 Florida Gators (21-3, 8-3 SEC) on Saturday night at Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. on the SEC Network.