South Carolina’s men’s basketball team gets its first look inside Colonial Life Arena on Sunday, when Campbell comes to Columbia for the Gamecocks’ final exhibition before the season begins. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m., and admission will be free for all patrons.
It is the second exhibition of the preseason for Lamont Paris’s group, following Thursday’s 78-69 win over Wake Forest in Rock Hill. South Carolina controlled that game for most of the afternoon, taking the lead for good during an 8-0 burst early in the opening half and then holding on after building an advantage as large as 17 points. The Gamecocks were in front for the final 33 minutes and finished with a nine-point victory over the Demon Deacons.
Jakub Nečas was the most productive scorer off the bench, finishing with 22 points to lead all players. The Duquesne transfer also knocked down three of South Carolina’s six made three-pointers.
Camden Heide added 14 points and went a perfect 6-for-6 at the foul line. Freshman guard Marcus Johnson turned in 13 points and four assists, while Argentine big man Juan Fernández posted 10 points and a team-best eight rebounds in 22 minutes.
South Carolina shot 23-of-54 from the field, good for 42.6%, but made its biggest mark at the free-throw line, where it went 26-of-29 for 89.7%. The Gamecocks also owned the glass, beating Wake Forest 40-30 in rebounds.
Campbell comes into the matchup after its own exhibition win, a 91-80 result over Francis Marion on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The Camels started slowly and trailed 51-44 at halftime, but a second-half defensive adjustment helped flip the script. Campbell outscored the Patriots 47-29 after the break to secure the win.
Lance Waddles paced Campbell with 25 points and nine rebounds while hitting 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. Rashawn Inglemon finished as the team’s second-leading scorer with 19 points. South Carolina transfer Nordin Kapic also delivered a double-double, putting up 17 points and 12 rebounds while making 10-of-11 free throws.
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