South Carolina Falls to Texas as Late-Game Struggles Continue for Lamont Paris’ Squad
Nearly four years after South Carolina came up short in its pursuit of Sean Miller as head coach, the Gamecocks once again found themselves on the wrong end of a scoreboard against one of his teams. This time, it was Miller’s Texas Longhorns who handed Lamont Paris and USC a hard-fought 84-75 loss Tuesday night - a game that highlighted both the promise and the persistent problems for a Gamecocks team still trying to find its footing in SEC play.
The loss drops South Carolina to 11-12 overall and 2-8 in the conference, marking the team’s fourth straight defeat and pushing Paris’ record at USC to just below .500. It’s the kind of stretch that raises questions, not just about the current season, but about the long-term trajectory of a program still searching for consistency under its third-year head coach.
A Familiar Face, A Familiar Result
There’s a bit of poetic symmetry - or perhaps frustration - in the fact that Miller, once the Gamecocks’ top target before Paris was hired, continues to be a thorn in South Carolina’s side. After beating USC with Xavier last season, Miller’s new squad at Texas did it again, this time in Columbia, and in a game that was there for the taking.
“They have to win this game,” Paris said postgame, acknowledging the pressure Texas likely felt coming into a road matchup against a team near the bottom of the SEC standings. “They prepared as such, and they came out to play to win.”
And win they did - thanks in large part to composure down the stretch, something South Carolina couldn’t quite replicate.
Crunch Time Breakdown
This one was tight throughout. Five lead changes in the second half, two more in the first, and neither side ever led by more than seven.
With just over three minutes left, USC trailed by only two. But when it mattered most, Texas executed.
The Longhorns hit timely threes, cashed in on their free throws - going a blistering 93.3% from the line in the second half - and capitalized on USC’s mistakes, outscoring the Gamecocks 12-6 off turnovers after halftime.
South Carolina, meanwhile, left points on the table. Missed layups, missed free throws, and a few no-calls they were hoping to get in the paint. It was a game that felt winnable - and that’s what makes it sting more.
Meechie Johnson Shines, But Needs Help
If there was a silver lining, it was Meechie Johnson. The junior guard has been the offensive engine for South Carolina since SEC play began, and he delivered again - pouring in 35 points on 12-of-21 shooting in 34 minutes. Johnson was relentless attacking the rim and kept USC in the game almost single-handedly.
But the support just wasn’t there. No other Gamecock scored more than 12. And while Johnson’s performance was electric, it also underscored a larger issue: South Carolina needs more from the rest of its roster if it wants to compete in the SEC.
“Meechie played really well,” Paris said. “It would’ve been nice to have a couple other guys.”
Texas, on the other hand, got a balanced effort led by Dailyn Swain, who posted 22 points and 10 rebounds - a double-double that gave the Longhorns a steady presence on both ends of the floor.
A Shift in Strategy - and Momentum
Early on, South Carolina looked like a team with a new plan. Known for hoisting over 26 three-point attempts per game, the Gamecocks came out attacking the rim and barely looked at the arc. Through the first half, they attempted just four threes - a season low.
And at first, it worked. USC hit 7 of its first 11 shots while Texas stumbled to a 1-for-10 start that included five missed threes.
But the Longhorns adjusted. They tightened up defensively, started driving instead of settling, and closed the half on an 18-8 run to take a 35-31 lead - their largest of the night.
While South Carolina outscored Texas 16-8 in paint points in the first half, the impact was muted by foul trouble. The Gamecocks were whistled for 13 fouls before the break, and Texas took full advantage, scoring 15 of its 35 first-half points from the line.
“Some of the ball screen coverage was in a way where Meechie in particular got a head of steam,” Paris said. “They were in recovery mode, and that really helped him get downhill.”
EJ Walker’s Unexpected Rise
In a surprise move, Paris shook up his starting five for the first time since late December, inserting freshman forward EJ Walker in place of Elijah Strong, the team’s third-leading scorer.
Walker wasn’t even supposed to play this season. The three-star freshman out of Kentucky had opened the year with a redshirt, aiming to develop behind the scenes. But after USC struggled to find consistency in the frontcourt, Paris and Walker’s family made the call to burn the redshirt - and on Tuesday, he made his first career start.
Walker responded with 8 points on 4-of-5 shooting and grabbed three rebounds in 21 minutes. It was a promising performance that showed flashes of what the 6-foot-8 freshman can bring to the table as he continues to grow.
“We started him today just to shake things up,” Paris said. “Hopefully that’ll really get him going as far as his confidence goes. The rapid growth that’s taken place for EJ over these last couple of months has been really exciting to see.”
Strong, for his part, still contributed - finishing with 12 points in 17 minutes off the bench.
Looking Ahead
There’s no sugarcoating it: this is a tough stretch for South Carolina. The effort is there.
The flashes of potential - from Johnson’s scoring outbursts to Walker’s emergence - are real. But the results aren’t following.
And in a league as unforgiving as the SEC, that can turn a promising season into a frustrating one in a hurry.
Paris and his staff have some decisions to make. Can they find a lineup that balances scoring with defensive toughness?
Can they close out games in crunch time? And most importantly, can they build something sustainable as the season winds down?
The answers will come soon enough. But for now, the Gamecocks are still searching - for wins, for rhythm, and for an identity that sticks.