Gamecocks Snap Out of Shooting Slump, Roll Past SC State in Pre-Holiday Tune-Up
After a pair of cold-shooting performances that raised some eyebrows, South Carolina found its rhythm in a big way Monday afternoon at Colonial Life Arena. In their final game before the holiday break, the Gamecocks lit up the scoreboard and cruised past South Carolina State, 95-70, behind their most efficient offensive showing of the season.
Let’s call it what it was: a get-right game. And South Carolina made the most of it.
The Gamecocks shot a scorching 59% from the field - a stark contrast to their recent offensive struggles. After going just 7-for-49 from deep in their last two outings against Clemson and The Citadel, they knocked down six triples against SC State, and more importantly, looked confident doing it.
Myles Stute and Mike Sharavjamts Lead the Charge
Myles Stute delivered his best game of the season, scoring 15 points and hitting three shots from beyond the arc. It wasn’t just the numbers - it was the energy. Stute looked comfortable and assertive, and that confidence rippled through the rest of the roster.
Mike Sharavjamts matched Stute’s output with 15 points of his own, showing off the versatility that makes him such an intriguing piece in Lamont Paris’ system. Both players helped stretch the floor and open up driving lanes - something that had been missing in recent games.
Balanced Scoring, Freshman Impact
South Carolina didn’t rely on just one or two scorers to get the job done. Five players finished in double figures, and the bench played a key role in maintaining momentum throughout the afternoon.
Freshman Grant Polk had a breakout performance, pouring in a career-high 13 points. He was aggressive, decisive, and gave Gamecock fans a glimpse of what the future could look like.
Elijah Strong added 13 of his own, and Kobe Knox chipped in with 11. It was the kind of all-around offensive effort that coaches dream about heading into conference play.
Dominance at the Line
One of the biggest differences in the game came at the free throw line. South Carolina earned 37 trips to the stripe and converted 31 of them - an 84% clip. That’s not just good; that’s the kind of execution that wins close games in February and March.
The Gamecocks outscored the Bulldogs by 22 points at the line, using their size and physicality to get into the paint and force contact. It was a clear point of emphasis, and the players responded.
Still Searching for a Signature Win
While the performance was encouraging, it doesn’t change the fact that South Carolina is still looking for a Quad 1 win this season. They’re 0-4 in those opportunities, and most of their victories have come against teams ranked 300 or worse in the KenPom rankings.
Monday’s opponent, SC State, came into the game ranked No. 361 out of 365 Division I teams. And the Gamecocks will close out the non-conference slate against Albany, currently sitting at No.
- Their best win to date?
A November 9 victory over Southern Miss, which ranks No. 191.
That’s not the résumé of a team knocking on the door of the NCAA Tournament - at least not yet.
Room for Optimism - and Reality Checks
Head coach Lamont Paris can take some solace in the fact that South Carolina’s four losses have come by a combined 19 points. They’ve been competitive, even in games where the shots weren’t falling. That suggests a team with some grit and defensive backbone.
But the numbers don’t lie. South Carolina currently sits at No. 91 in the KenPom rankings - dead last among all 16 SEC teams. If they want to make noise in conference play, they’ll need to start stacking quality wins and tightening up on both ends of the floor.
Ellis Returns, Kapic Out
There was some positive news on the injury front. Freshman guard Eli Ellis returned to action after missing the Clemson game with an ankle injury.
He looked comfortable in his 20 minutes, finishing with nine points, two rebounds, and two assists. His ability to create off the dribble gives the Gamecocks another playmaker heading into SEC play.
On the flip side, Nordin Kapic was sidelined for the second time this season. The 6-foot-8 senior transfer didn’t suit up and has now missed two of the last three games. He logged just 10 minutes in the previous outing against Clemson, so it’s something to monitor as the season progresses.
Looking Ahead
With just one more non-conference game left - a December 30 matchup against Albany - South Carolina has a chance to head into SEC play on a two-game win streak. But the real tests are coming.
The Gamecocks have shown flashes of what they can be when things click. Monday’s win was a reminder of that. Now it’s about consistency, execution, and proving they can do it against tougher competition.
Because in the SEC, there are no easy nights.